Kids' Day at the Midland Mall

Kids' Day
Date: January 29, 2011
Location: Booth 68 at the Midland Mall

Kids' Day is an annual event where there are numerous booths set up inside the Midland Mall for kids to browse. Organizations from around the Midland area and Michigan participate. It's a fun filled day for the kids who get to take part in activities and collect free gifts from the booths! I was situated at booth 68, near Sears. I displayed the poster I made about the Miss America Organization and attracted as many adults and children to the booth as I could. The kids decorated paper crowns with markers and stickers, and Addison (Jr. Miss A-M) and I crowned them.

It was a sweet and simple event but still important. I talked to parents about how wonderful the Miss America Organization is and my unique experience with it so far. I also educated parents about Hurley Hospital being the regional CMN hospital for 15 counties, including Midland. I told the miracle story success of Isaiah Struck, a 3 year old boy from Bangor Township, who on one fateful day last summer, suffered from 2nd and 3rd degree burns after a bonfire accident in his backyard. He was rushed to Hurley Hospital in Flint because Hurley is the regional Burn Center. There he was treated with compassion and quality care, thanks in part to the Children's Miracle Network. CMN gifted him soft toys and blankets on his first day and provided compassionate care such as distraction therapy when he had his dressings changed.

I am so thankful for organizations like the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals that are there for families when crisis hits. It's important for the rest of us to realize that it is because of donations from people like ourselves that these organizations CAN be there for us in the FUTURE in our own time of need, as was the case for the Struck family.

So, as I mentioned earlier, throughout the event, I was busy helping little girls and boys decorate their crowns or talking to people about the organization. I did my best to educate people about CMN and also had a donation canister out. Unfortunately, I only raised $1. The single dollar I raised is pretty special though. It came from a little girl that felt saddened after hearing Isaiah's story. She reached into her own purse and donated the dollar to help other kids like Isaiah. Her compassion for others girls and boys her age reminded me of how innately human it is for us to want to help other people, even at a young age. She also decorated a crown, not for herself, but for her best friend. What a doll!