Update: thank you to my family, my friends, and some amazing participants who have become family for donating so far! We are at a little less than 400 raised! That is ALMOST enough for me to purchase my plane ticket and secure my flight out there! Let’s keep this momentum going! I’m not sure if it is possible, but if there is a comment section and you have donated and have either heard first hand stories, been a part of making the story, or are somehow connected to YouBelong and/or Miss Amazing, please leave a comment with your favorite memory! I’m interested to hear some of these(looking at you Kaelyn!)

Please remember to share! Copy the link and past it to your social media to help spread the word!

Every year, I take a personal mission trip to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to support YouBelong, a non-profit organization founded by my former student pastor Greg. YouBelong is dedicated to providing services and programs for families and individuals living with disabilities, as well as their caregivers. Their mission is to ensure that everyone feels included and has access to the resources they need to thrive. They offer family classes for children and their grown-ups, respite care, vocational training for adults living with disabilities, and so much more. Greg's wife Amy is also deeply devoted to similar missions as the Director of the Wisconsin chapter of Miss Amazing. Miss Amazing is a national nonprofit that empowers girls and women with disabilities through inclusive, pageant-inspired events. It’s not a traditional beauty pageant, but rather a platform for self-expression, skill-building, and building confidence, leadership, and self-esteem. Every participant is recognized and celebrated, and the program helps challenge stereotypes and connect people with a supportive community.

This trip is incredibly meaningful to me, and I have been honored to support these organizations for the past four years. However, this year, money is very tight, and I am having a hard time pulling together the funds for plane fare, hotel, rental car, and food while I am there. Round trip tickets are roughly 500-700 when bags and other fees are added in, hotels can range from 100- over 1000 a night depending on the quality and cleanliness of the hotel. A car rental is anywhere from 60-200 dollars a day, plus gas prices, which we all know can change in an instant. Lastly, I am gluten free and have other food restrictions, so reading labels and buying specific brands is a must. Food prices can vary depending on where you are. Last year, a frozen gluten free meal was around 6-8 dollars in Wisconsin. In the past, I was able to stay with Greg and Amy, but due to their recent move and their new house having a bit less space, adding another person to their house would cause cramped conditions. This means a hotel and rental car are necessary for the first time.

While I am someone who rarely asks for help, this year, finances are just not coming together for this very special, meaningful, and impactful trip. Any support would mean the world to me and help me continue making a difference for this amazing community. Thank you for considering a contribution and for believing in the power of inclusion and kindness.

KayKay and I after both of our first Miss Amazing Amplify Events! I was at the airport in PA before 5:30am that morning and arrived at the venue in Wisconsin around 10:45.

Kaelyn and I right after the big event at Miss Amazing Nationals in Chicago. She was so incredibly tired after winning! But still managed a smile and I even got a hug, those that know…. Know how few and far between those can sometimes be!

Kaelyn handing out crowns to her age group this past year at Miss Amazing