Starfish

One of the taglines I like to tout about volunteerism is “One person can start a movement.  Let the movement start with you”.  I think too often we lose sight of the potential impact one person can have.  More than this, we lose sight of the bigger picture – if we are ALL doing good things (even small acts of kindness) we can affect great change.  One of my favorite stories to illustrate this is “The Star Thrower”.  Read on and be inspired to do your part today…

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,

“Well, I made a difference to that one!”

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.

adapted from the Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley

Seek Happiness,

Jesse Ladoue
Miss International 2013

Volunteer of the Month – August 2013

I am so so so so so (did I mention SO) excited to announce my first “Miss International 2013’s Volunteer of the Month Award! (of course, formerly known as Miss New York International’s…)  August 2013’s winner is Linda Baker!

I met Linda Baker of Darien Center, NY at the New York Special Olympics State Championship.  I quickly realized that Linda was a selfless individual who truly had her heart and soul connected to this organization.  She says, “I am not sure if I chose [Special Olympics] or it chose me.  They athletes are incredibly welcoming and have such generous hearts.  All they want is to be accepted for who they are.  They want to be accepted for their abilities, not their disabilities…. Once I opened my heart and mind to them, I was hooked.” (well said!)

Linda has been a Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteer for 14 years and in 2011 was selected for the incredibly honorable role as New York’s representative to run the final leg in the Special Olympics WORLD GAMES in Greece!  (The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser for the S.O. in the world and helps fund training, equipment, uniforms, transportation, etc. – Learn more at http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Donate/Special_Olympics_Torch_Run.aspx)

Linda personifies the versatility of today’s volunteer, participating in Polar Plunges (jumping into freeeeeeezing cold wate) and rappelling down a 26-story building to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics!  She credits her volunteer spirit to her parents, who were actively involved in community and civic events.  In her spare time Linda is an avid runner and scrapbooker.  She has two sons, Ken and Mike, a daughter-in-law, Jessie, and her precious grandson, Silas.  Linda will receive a commemorative certificate and a $25 Visa Gift Card sponsored by VolunteerMatch.  Thank you for your inspiring service and dedication!

Linda presenting awards to athletes in 2011; At the World Games in Greece – Torch in hand; Rappelling down Seneca Niagara Casino

Are you or someone you know an outstanding volunteer?  Contact me at 2013missinternational@gmail.com for an official application!

Seek Happiness,

Jesse

Onward and Upward

It is difficult to qualify and quantify all of the plans and dreams I have for this year.  The root of it all is two-fold.  First, to spread the importance and the need for expansion of the volunteerism culture, and share the accessibility of service opportunities for anyone and everyone.  The second is to promote and strengthen the International Pageants’ reach and visibility.  I am proud of our system and want the world to know that this is the premier pageant for women with important causes and impactful voices.

August has been FULL of planning.  I’m working to lay the groundwork to visit 30+ US cities as part of my V for Volunteer Tour to meet with students nationwide, introducing them to the features and functionalities of VolunteerMatch.  Who knows, I just may be spotted in your neighborhood driving the “VolunteerMatch Mobile”!  I am so excited to share locations, dates, and events, but you’ll have to stay tuned for the big reveal!

In addition to this V for Volunteer travel, I will be making multiple other stops where I can hang up the crown and sash and really get my hands dirty.  As you know, I’ve already been an international volunteer in Kenya.  I am in discussions with several programs to facilitate group mission trips to developing nations and regions.

I can’t wait to use the strategy of engaging, educating, and empowering potential volunteers to help create a passion for service, and in turn countless lifelong volunteers.  Be a part of the global shift for greater good. You will be amazed at how quickly good intentions can become grand gestures when we are working together!

Love,

Jesse

Volunteerism

I always get a bit of a blank stare when I tell someone that my platform is Volunteerism… and I get it.  It seems like a no-brainer, especially in the pageant world because we are all volunteers for our own causes and platforms.  So why pick something that is so obvious?

I have gone to a religiously-affiliated school from Pre-K through college, was very active in my church community growing up, and even participated in CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) sports leagues.  Every step of the way we were expected (not in a forceful way, but with the encouragement that it was the right thing to do) to always be giving.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter basket contributions were second nature, canned food or book drives were recurring events, and attending soup kitchens as class field trips were part of my way of life.  I didn’t realize until I my later teen years that this wasn’t common behavior across the board.

I became acutely aware that those who don’t routinely volunteer might not be doing so on purpose.  Most of the people I have come in contact with just don’t know how to find opportunities, and they don’t know how versatile volunteering can be.

I started promoting a site that I was actually using in my own time to find and squeeze volunteer events into an already packed schedule.  And so, my love for VolunteerMatch began (VolunteerMatch is the world’s largest online resource for volunteers).  Go to volunteermatch.org right now! (just kidding, read first and click later).  Create a volunteer profile, do a search based on location and cause, peruse the options like remote volunteering that allow you to offer services from home, sort by date to fit your schedule… Simply notice how convenient this tool is for people of all ages to use.   This is the new age of volunteerism – making service work for you.

This year, I want to turn the excuses why people don’t volunteer into excitement by introducing them to ways that make the entire experience personal, customized, and completely fulfilling.  When we are socially aware of the needs of our neighbors both near and far - quality of life increases, feelings of self-worth improve, and communities can be strengthened from the inside out.

My favorite image from my trip to Kenya in 2009.  I can still hear the joy in their voices as they jumped on me and tickled me from all angles.

A special moment at this year’s Special Olympics NY state championships.  These two athletes stole a kiss on each cheek from me – I love the spirit in each of our faces.  An experience I will always cherish.

Jesse Ladoue

You Can Make a Difference

 

Saturday, October 27 is Make A Difference Day!  According to Usatoday.weekend, “more than 3 million people help 20 million others on this annual day of volunteering.”  What will you do this Saturday?

If you are have never volunteered or if you are still trying to find an organization that you feel passionate about, use this day to experience the joy of volunteering or explore your options.  Many young people feel nervous about how to start or have false beliefs that their only option is working in a soup kitchen, but volunteers are needed for many kinds of projects.   Organizations need compassionate people with a variety of talents.  Within every community there are people who could use a hand.  A quick internet search should help you get started or check out http://www.volunteerguide.org

Pageant contestants are sometimes labeled as shallow and materialistic. But I know that is a false stereotype, especially for contestants in the International Pageant system.  Their emphasis on volunteerism is part of what differentiates this organization.  In fact I choose this pageant specifically because it gave me a venue for sharing my passion of healing with art. 

During the pageant in July, I had the pleasure of meeting contestants who volunteered for a variety of non-profits and charities; from large national organizations to individual projects launched when a need was identified in the community.  If every contestant in the Miss division spent 8 hours volunteering, we would have provided 400 hours of service to others.  That kind of dedication can make a difference!

Krista Wanous