Miss Daytona Outstanding Teen 2009: A big 'thank you' to all who helped make a difference for children

Courtesy photos. Tia McDonald thanks the Girl Scouts for helping her make presents for hospitalized children.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- When my director told me part of my new title -- Miss Daytona Outstanding Teen 2009 -- would include working with the Children’s Miracle Network, I was so excited as I have worked with children in need all my life.

Helping a child sick in the hospital is dear to my heart. She said our first mission was to provide a box of goodies to boys and girls admitted to Winnie Palmer, and Shands Hospital. I am thinking: "OK, no big deal, this will be fun!"

Well, fun it was.

I placed a call to Wal-Mart and Payless and asked them to save boxes, and we later picked them up. I started wrapping each box and realized each would need to be decorated and these kids deserve to be impressed.

Then it came to me: "I'm horrible at decorating!"

So we brought in the Boys and Girls Club of Edgewater, and they worked very hard to make a dozen beautiful boxes.

We still had 50 boxes to decorate, so that’s when we pulled in Bobby Haynes. She said that with a few days' notice, she would try to reach out to as many girls as possible to help. I was, of course. frantic, and amazed when she brought in around 30 girls.

 

These girls made the boxes magical, and also helped fill, and tie them up. Thanks to both troops 1103 and 1224, I was blessed because they did an amazing job!

The "thank you’s" do not stop there. Also, Joe Andreana arrived with dinner from Knights of Columbus Council No. 4934. Another "thank you" goes to to my Mom for making several trips to Wal-Mart and buying tons of gifts for the gift boxes. McDonald's donated adorable Hello Kitty watches for the gift boxes as well.

I am pleased to say that the community came together to make a difference in my life, and the children in the hospitals so they have something to do while undergoing treatment.

To everyone involved a big "thank you!"