THE COSMIC CHARITY CHALLENGE !!!

 Hello everyone :-)

In the spirit of the new year I needed to end my 2010 blog, by telling you all about THE COSMIC CHARITY CHALLENGE that took place on December 11, 2010 at Maple Lanes in Brooklyn, NY. It was my first event that I personally coordinated and hosted myself, so needless to say I was extremely nervous lol.

Shortly after I was crowned I knew I wanted to put together an event that would benefit the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Organization (www.missbrooklyn.org) and The Children’s Miracle Network (www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org ), which is the national platform of the Miss America Organization. It is a remarkable charity that raises funds and awareness for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and saves close to 17 million children each year.

I wanted to do something that would get a lot of people involved, and something that I knew people would have fun doing. With that in mind THE COSMIC CHARITY CHALLENGE came about.  For about a month I worked closely with Maple Lanes to create a cosmic bowling tournament open to anyone who wished to participate in one of three age divisions (children, teens & adults). I have been going to Maple Lanes since I was a little girl, my father has been bowling there for 20 years, and people who I grew up with continue to go there. When you walk into that place there is always a familiar Brooklyn face, so of course I was thrilled when they agreed to sponsor the event. I worked closely with manager Terri Hermann, who was absolutely AMAZING. She helped me so much and I could not have put on the event without her kindness and patience.

My friend Danny DeNisco, who is an up and coming graphic designer, actually designed all of the flyers for the event. He is unbelievably talented and has such a meticulous eye. I thank him so much for taking the time out to design such a creative flyer. I must give a shout out to Mike Avena who was able to print over 500 flyers and helped me get the word out!


DESIGNED BY DANIEL DeNISCO
& Printed By Mike Avena

 When December 11^th finally came, it was time to see if all of the hard work paid off. From late October to the beginning of December, I ran around like a chicken without a head getting donations to raffle off baskets, collecting money, and attempting to make everything perfect! When all was said and done I had a total of 8 baskets to raffle off, as well as prizes for the highest scoring male and female bowler in each age division. Between the 130 bowlers, raffles, and a 50/50 the event raised DOUBLE, PLUS MORE THAN MY ORIGINAL GOAL! I was absolutely ecstatic and so thankful that in the end everything came together beautifully. Aside from family, friends and bowlers I had some very special guests including Miss Brooklyn’s Executive Director Amaris Acosta and my wonderful sister queen Miss Kings County 2011, Carmen Mendoza. I was so thankful that the two of them were able to come J. Not only did Amaris and Carmen attend, but I also had another very special guest . . . . . . . SANDY THE SEAGULL from the Brooklyn Cyclones!!! I was fortunate enough to work as a Beach Bum Performer this past summer for the Brooklyn Cyclones and when I decided to put together this event they were extremely gracious to not only donate a basket, but send Sandy as well <3

Photograph by: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

Hair and Makeup By Pilo Arts http://www.piloarts.com/
Hair by Jayne Thompson-Chillo
Makeup by Betsy Shuki



Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

My reunion with SANDY ♥



Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
Carmen Mendoza: Miss Kings County
Amaris Acosta: Executive Director of the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Organization www.missbrooklyn.org

                                     

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
Me, Sandy the Seagull & Carmen Mendoza (Miss Kings County 2011)
-Guessing something was funny :-)

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

Aunt Joe <333 The inspiration behind my platform
"Performers With A Purpose, Bringing Sarcoma Awareness Center Stage"

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

My AMAZING Family, who I could not have
put the event together without!

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
Grandma & Nana <3 My number one fans :-)

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
The Bowling Crew

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
"FRIEND FRIENDS" lol <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
Little Kayla DeNisco <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
The Asaro Family <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

Friends <3

The Whalen's, DeNisco's & Maffai's <333

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

The Polanco Family <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
Bowling Away!

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
Little Miss Whalen <3

Little Brother <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

Mi Familia <3 The Corvino Family :-)

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

HAHA love this one <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
Schiavo Family <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
DWDC <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

McKenna Clan <333

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001
High-Five for Sandy :-)

Friendly Faces <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

Dancing Girlies <3

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

DeNisco Family <3



Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

Selling raffles lol :-)
Thank you Friend Friends for all of your hardwork!



Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

The Avena Family <3333

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

AND THE WINNER IS . . .

Raffles, raffles EVERYWHERE !!!

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

My Mr. Brooklyn <3

Monte <3 I miss my bums lol

Gotta love those Whalen's <333

Photograph By: Peter Colen
peter.colen@gmail.com
347-683-6001

YAYA WE DID IT !!!

A successful event :-)

Overall my first event as Miss Brooklyn went BETTER than I could have ever hoped! 

There were so many people who made the event a HUGE success and I need to acknowledge all of the wonderful sponsors  . . .

           Cosmic Charity Challenge

Donors and Participants

Event Coordinator and Host: Christina Moore, Miss Brooklyn 2011

Thank you to all of the amazing people

who participated in this event

Family Participants

Arena Family

Asaro Family

Avena Family & Friends

Balsam Family

Peter Biondo & Friends

Bogsignore Family

Corvino Family & Friends

Coumoutseas Family

DeNisco Family

Fontana Family

Greene Family

Terri Hermann & Friends

Maffai Family

Nicole Martell & Family

McKenna Family

Miller Family

Modafferi Family

Moore Family

Mustacchia Family

Jill Nugent & Friends

Pellegrino Family

Perez Family

Petrino Family

Polanco Family

Preziotti Family & Friends

Romano Family & Friends

Marie Savino & Friends

Josephine Schiavo & Family

Michael Schiavo & Family

Schoeder Family

Vinocur Family

Whalen Family

White Family & Friends

Zicolello Family

Individual Participants

Elena Albano

Theresa Clapso

Michael D’Amore

Bob Dorans

Nicole Garofano

Lisa Genduso

Rob Gugililmi

Gabrielle Khan

Fran Lucchese

Elise Magnuson

Frank Miele

PJ Mitilineos

Nicole Monteleone

Marie Moore

John Prestigiacomo

Bridget Sanfillipo

Maryann Scafuri

Josephine Scome

Margaret Tapogna

Dina Williams

FLYER DESIGNER: Daniel DeNisco

FLYER PRINTER: Mike Avena

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter Colen

VIDEO (coming soon) by: Mary Ellen Pesanello

1570 60th Street
    Brooklyn, NY 11219
     718-331-9000

http://www.bowlmaple.com/

Manager: Terri Hermann

Pilo Arts is one of my fantastic sponsors this year
and have been kind enough to take care of everything from my hair
to my nails to my makeup for various events throughout the year. I thank them
so much for this opportunity and am very grateful to have them as a sponsor <3

Pilo Arts Day Spa & Salon
8412 Third Avenue
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York 11209 USA
718.748.7411

http://www.piloarts.com/

Owner: Elena Solitario

Hairstylist: Jayne Thompson-Chillo

Makeup: Betsy Shuki

                               

1904 Surf Avenue
  Brooklyn, NY 11224

http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/

General Manager: Steve Cohen

Promotions & Entertainment Manager: Alexa Atria

 ONE-THREE SPORTS

6730 13th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11219

(718) 232-5013

Owner: Charlie Maffai

Otsinc13@aol.com

LA BELLA PANINI

7001 13th Ave
(between 70th St & 71st St)
Brooklyn, NY 11228

(718) 234-1400

BABIES R US

8973-95 Bay Parkway

Brooklyn, NY 11214

(718) 714-6400

http://www.babiesrus.com/

Mama Rao's Restaurant

6408 11th Avenue Brooklyn N.Y. 11219

(718) 745-2269  Fax (718) 680-3621

http://www.mamaraosrestaurant.com/

I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

CHERISH THE TIME YOU HAVE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

AND MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT <3333

XOXO

CHRISTINA :-)

SEE YOU IN 2011 lolol <3

    

Miss NY Send Off Fiesta, Glow Bowling, & Zumba for Rachel xoxo

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends, & tons of laughs :-)
I have been keeping quite busy, which is why I am a little behind on my blogging, but on account of the blizzard, I am snowed in and given the perfect opportunity to catch up on some blogs!

MISS NY SEND OFF TO MISS AMERICA PARTY !

I will start with the beginning of December. On December 5th I attended a Send Off to Miss America party for the fabulous Miss NY, Claire Buffie, who will be competing for the title of Miss America on January 15th in Las Vegas. The party was hosted by Amanda Mason and her mother, held on the 36th floor of the breath taking Olivia in NYC. It was such a fantastic gathering, filled with all of Claire's family and friends, along with both former and current titleholders including Miss Brooklyn 2010, Mallory Hagan, Miss Richmond County 2010, Kimberly Cantoni and Miss Staten Island 2011, Maria DeSantis.

Claire shared with us a few inside scoop aspects of the competition, but most importantly she shared with us stories related to her platform "Straight for Equality, Lets Talk" http://missny2010.blogspot.com/. "As an outspoken advocate of human rights, Claire is opening the dialogue about equality amongst youth, teens and adults alike. The issues of gay rights make up the civil rights movement of our generation and reach far beyond marriage equality. She aims to break the stigma of marginalized youth, eliminating discriminatory vocabulary and changing the climate in New York schools." 

I wish her the very best of luck and know she will do amazing. I have had the privilege of being in her company several times over the past few months and can tell you that her poise, passion for what she does and her down to earth personality will make for a wonderful Miss America!



Miss NY Send Off to Miss America Fiesta !




Miss Staten Island 2011, Maria DeSantis :-)



Miss Richmond County 2010, Kimberly Cantoni <3

Titleholders past and present !



Miss Brooklyn 2010, Mallory Hagan <3


GLOW BOWLING

My next event was the following day December 6th, with my amazing students of Christa McAuliffe, I.S. 187. I have been the drama club choreographer at Christa McAuliffe for the past 4 years and have formed such a cherished bond with both the students and teachers. I myself am an alumni of the school, so when I was asked a few years ago to return as the drama club choreographer I was beyond thrilled. My students are my inspiration behind my platform. Teaching them has showed me just how important an arts education is, and how we need to value it in our schools and make it a priority. The arts not only allow students to have a creative outlet, but it gives students the opportunity to discover new talents that they never knew they possessed. I have seen first hand how the arts can increase confidence and joy in students, a joy that should not be taken away due to budget cuts.

The second inspiration for my platform came from my Aunt Josephine Schiavo, who is a STAGE 4 Sarcoma Survivor. It is because of her that I decided to fuse two things that I love in life and strongly believe in and turn it into a unique platform I call, "Performers With A Purpose, Bringing Sarcoma Awareness Center Stage."

The students of I.S. 187 have helped me tremendously to set my platform into full swing. Last year with the  help of the drama club, the Ben Bay Kiwanis Club, Mrs. Marino, Principal Berman and Mrs. Ferrier, we raised $1,000 for the Sarcoma Alliance (the charity that I am supporting). This year they were kind enough to help me again, and through a Glow Bowling event at Maple Lanes, raised another $500.00 for the Sarcoma Alliance. http://www.sarcomaalliance.org/main.shtml

I am so grateful to have all of these students in my life. The event was so much fun and it was a little funny actually, because it was the first time they had all seen me with my sash on, so I got a lot of questions thrown my way :-)

I truly love these kids. They are a huge part of my life and are so important to me. The feeling I get teaching them and seeing them shine on that stage and in life is a reward I simply cannot put into words <3

Some of my amazing students at I.S. 187 <333

Mrs. Ferrier <333 I don't know what I would do without her :-)

Mrs. Marino & Mrs. Ferrier <3

Natalie, a future STAR !!! Look out for her ladies and gents
because her talent will blow you away :-)

ZUMBA FOR RACHEL

Last but not least, I wanted to give an update on the January 23rd event! I blogged about it a month ago and now that I have all of the info I needed to share it with you :-)

On January 23, 2011 at Poly Prep Country Day School (Brooklyn, NY) @ 12:30 PM, ZUMBA FOR RACHEL WILL BE TAKING PLACE. This is going to be a wonderful event coordinated and hosted by the amazing Margaret Tapogna  in memory of her dear friend Rachel, who passed away a few months back from cancer. All proceeds will be going to St. Jude's Research Hospital in honor of Rachel, who was a constant supporter of the charity.

It promises to be a wonderful day filled with friends, family and of course ZUMBA, (but don't worry, you do not need to ZUMBA in order to come and have fun!!!) There will be refreshments, raffles and much more all for a small donation of $20.00.

I will be helping with the event and will even be assisting with the ZUMBA :-) I cannot wait !!!

For more details, questions or to volunteer to help please contact Margaret at
MissM58@hotmail.com or feel free to call 718-415-9576

PASS THE WORD ALONG, TRUST ME YOU ARE NOT GONNA WANT TO MISS IT !!!!

Well that's all for now, I must tell you about the COSMIC CHARITY CHALLENGE, but that will be the next blog, time for family game night lol :-)

xoxo
Christina :-)