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Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly

Inspirational Quote

"It's better to create your own destiny than to be a product of your environment"

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly is one of the winner's for the Tiara Magazine Charity Award. This award is given to a selected woman who has made a difference in her life and the life's of others in her community, city and state. Kelly's article will be featured in the Tiara Magazine's Winter Issue. Congratulations Kelly.

Success Story

Success is sometimes defined as the achievement of something planned or attempted. Though that might be partially true, real success comes not only from achieving something because you’ve worked hard but also from making the decision to help others do the same.

As a child, I remember watching my mom work as hard as she could to raise three kids on her own. She was never able to go to college which made it harder for her to find a quality job. Fortunately we have a huge extended family, and we lived in a community where people stepped forward to help us. We always had food on the table, clothes to wear, and a present at Christmas, though it wasn’t much. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that other people were generous and wanted to help our family, and that’s why we were able to enjoy the things that other kids did.
When I was finally old enough to grasp the situation, I made a promise to myself. I actually made several promises. One was that I would do whatever I could to make sure that I stayed in school and graduated from college. I also promised that I would find a way to say thanks to those who helped us. The final promise I made was that I would one day be successful enough to give back to others.

Though we moved many times and I found myself in many different schools, I studied hard and graduated from high school with honors. I then worked several jobs to pay my own way through college. It took me 11 years to earn a Bachelor’s degree, but the day I walked across stage to get my diploma was a joyful one. Today I am more than half way through a Master’s degree program and will graduate in May 2010.

I am fortunate to have made some good decisions and to have been raised to work hard. As a result, I have a great career, a wonderful husband, a beautiful home, and all the other things that I had dreamed of when I was younger. What makes me feel successful, though, is knowing that what I do every day by donating my time, talent, and treasures can make someone else’s day a little better.

Though I haven’t yet found an appropriate way to say thanks to those who so generously helped my family make it through the rough times, I know they would be proud to know that I work hard every day and volunteer tirelessly so that others can feel less burdened. I work with organizations like Dress for Success, American Cancer Society, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, American Lung Association, Kiwanis, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, and numerous animal rescue organizations. It is gratifying to be able to use my fundraising skills and strategic planning knowledge to raise money for programs and services that provide for the needy, the sick, and the struggling.

The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

I couldn’t agree more.

From Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly; this video shows some of the wonderful appearances I have had the opportunity to participate in as Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties. This is August 2008-April 2009. What an amazing year it has been so far! Kelly was 2nd runner-up at the July 2009 national pageant. She is competing again at the July 2010 national pageant.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly was on the local news.

WPEC-TV (West Palm Beach): Breast Cancer Plane

Mrs. Florida Kelly's newspaper article from the Wellington Town Crier. It has a photo of her team from the walk. :)

Mrs. Florida Kelly was on the front page of The Neighborhood Post newspaper for starting a nonprofit organization, Dress for Success Palm Beaches.

Crowning Ceremony

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly: my crowning ceremony was a great success. I held the event at the American Cancer Society office in West Palm Beach. I had about 35 friends and family members attend. I also raised $78 for my Making Strides team and got 6 silent auction items for the Cancer Ball in West Palm Beach. I made pink cupcakes with chocolate pink ribbons on top. We had lots of cupcakes left over so I sold them later that night and raised an additional $35 for my Making Strides team, The Princess Partners. Kelly's husband Steve placed the crown & banner on her.

Mentoring

I am pleased to announce that I have a beautiful princess. Her name is Shelby. Oddly enough, her mother was my hostess and mentor for my first pageant in 1994 (prior to Shelby being born).

Now I am mentoring her daughter! What a small world we live in!

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly's beautiful new car magnets. Her friend Lisa from Fast Signs North Palm Beach made them for her!

Personal Appearances

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly at the Forgotten Soldiers Out Reach.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly with two of the deejays from Kool 105.5, Tim Allen Walker and Jay Zeager at the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach.

Mrs. Florida U. S. Beauties Kelly with 2 cute little girls that got their faces painted at the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Fundraiser.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly with her official making strides banner welcoming guests. Kelly is thrilled to be the co-chair of the Palm Beach County Walk this year.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly with her friend Neeza at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Kelly invites other pageant queens to the events since they can be great community service partners.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with the Chair of the Making Strides Walk, Dorothy Bradshaw.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with her sweet husband Steve who wore his pink shirt for her at the Team Leader Happy Hour at Ouzo Blue in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with Linda, the ACS Area Executive Director for South Florida and Jeremy Morse, the Associate Director of ACS in West Palm Beach.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly at the Purse Strings Gathering Party at Taverna Opa with the manager from the restaurant. The event supports financial literacy programs for women.

Mrs. Florida Kelly at the Leukemia & Lymphoma fundraiser for their upcoming walk. I was being lifted by a member of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Mrs. Florida Kelly meets Miss Pennsylvania Typhani at the filming of the television show....Little Miss Perfect.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with 2 stars at the filming of the television show....Little Miss Perfect.

Mrs. Florida Kelly at the American Cancer Society Florida Division's Volunteer Leadership Kick-off Conference in Orlando. Kelly received an award on behalf of the PBC Making Strides Walk for the greatest percentage increase in funds raised and she met hundreds of dedicated volunteers and staff.

Mrs. Florida Kelly at the American Cancer Society Florida Division's Volunteer Leadership Kick-off Conference in Orlando.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly is on the Advisory Board for the American Lung Association of Florida's Southeast Area. Here she is at the entrance to her quarterly board meeting.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly with the Executive Director of the American Lung Association of Florida's Southeast Area Chapter Carol Ruggeri.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly at the Feeding America tour stop at the Cheesecake Factory in Boca Raton, Florida. We donated soup which will be given to the Daily Bread Food Bank in our area. In return, we got a piece of red velvet cheesecake and we got photos and videos done.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kellywith my sweet husband Steve, and my mom, Elaine.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly in front of the big pink ribbon that I made for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly at a fundraiser for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, I hosted an event called Bartending for Breast Cancer. Along with some media celebrities, we raised $1500 in only 2 hours! Kelly is with our celebrity bartenders: Jay Zeager (from KOOL 105.5), Lauren LaPonzina (from Channel 5 new news), and James Wieland (Channel 5 meteorologist)

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly attended the Start Heart Walk in Boca Raton Florida. It was a beautiful day! She even had a rainbow overhead!

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly volunteered at the annual JDRF Scavenger Hunt. She helped sell raffle tickets and other fundraising items.

Mrs. Florida Kelly and her friend Debbie volunteered at the annual JDRF Scavenger Hunt. They helped sell raffle tickets and other fundraising items.

Mrs. Florida Kelly is a proud member of the West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club. This year, they donated money to Royal Palm Beach High School to help buy textbooks for students in their medical magnet program. The attached photo is Kelly and her fellow Kiwanians with the students who received the donated books.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly sporting her stylish orange vest near the Delta Pink Ribbon Plane at Palm Beach International Airport.

Mrs. Florida U.S. Beauties Kelly had the opportunity to get up close to the Delta Pink Ribbon Plane at Palm Beach International Airport. She truly felt like a celebrity walking out on the tarmac to take photos with the plane. This photo is Kelly with Captain Curly, one of the Delta pilots who flies the plane regularly.

Mrs. Florida Kelly volunteer at a classic car show in Jupiter, Florida. They had a 50/50 raffle with proceeds going to Making Strides. The event raised almost $400! Here is Kelly with Brenda, the event organizer.

Mrs. Florida Kelly volunteer at a classic car show in Jupiter Florida and my Chihuahua Tito, making friends with a cute little boy.

Mrs. Florida Kelly volunteer at a classic car show in Jupiter Florida with a beautiful classic car and sunset.

Mrs. Florida Kelly volunteer at a classic car show in Jupiter Florida selling raffle tickets.

Mrs. Florida Kelly attended the Just Us Girls Night at the PGA Marriott. It was a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen. The event featured a fashion show, live music, shopping, and great food.

On October 17, the 2009 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer took place. and we raised $130,000! It was awesome! Mrs. Florida Kelly's many tasks was to greet walkers at the finish line. We had 1500 walkers!

Mrs. Florida Kelly receives a plaque from the American Cancer Society for being Vice-Chair for the event.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with her team, The Princess Partners, was one of the top ten fundraising teams for the walk. Together, they raised $4,252! The Walk raised $130,000 to provide patient services, research, and programs for people with breast cancer.

Mrs. Florida Kelly & her husband Steve. He was a huge supporter by helping with all events and projects and he even wore a pink shirt!

Mrs. Florida Kelly attended the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida's Walk/Run on October 25th. The event raises money for kids who have cancer of blood disorders and their families.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was invited by the Tri-County Humane Society to attend their monthly Paws for the Cause event in Boca Raton, FL.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was asked by her Kiwanis club to help donate items. With their help, she collected 84 cans of dog and cat food along with some other items the shelter needed (paper towels, bleach, trash bags, etc.).

Mrs. Florida Kelly fed homeless people at a soup kitchen in Riviera Beach, FL. Though she didn't wear her crown, she did wear the beautiful Mrs. Florida tank top that Mrs. US Beauties, Juanita, made for us this past year. The soup kitchen fed 210 people in 2 hours! This photo is Kelly with George, one of the homeless people we fed.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was invited to the annual Siberian Husky Rescue Organization's Annual Dog Wash. She washed dozens of dogs and received lots of dog kisses!

Mrs. Florida Kelly was a committee member for the Fight for Air Stair Climb, an American Lung Association signature event. The event raises money for their programs to help people breathe better.

Mrs. Florida Kelly got a little help climbing up the 444 stairs from one of Palm Beach County's bravest.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with several local city firefighters used the Stair Climb as training event.They climbed all 20 stories in 70 lb. gear!

Mrs. Florida Kelly had a great time at the Nascar Championship Race. She met tons of drivers, hung out with the pit crews and had dinner with the officials.

Mrs. Florida Kelly got a behind-the-scenes look at what the Nascar officials do before and after the race.

Mrs. Florida Kelly got to watch the race from the wall of Pit Road. That was amazing!

Mrs. Florida Kelly meet Carl Edwards at the Nascar Championship Race in Homestead.

Mrs. Florida Kelly & her husband Steve attended the Boys Town Gala at The Breakers in Palm Beach.

Mrs. Florida Kelly walked the pink carpet at the Boys Town Gala.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was a special guest at Bark in the Park. She was even listed on their marketing material.

Mrs. Florida Kelly made lots of doggie friends at the Bark in the Park event!

Mrs. Florida Kelly was a special guest at Bark in the Park. Her husband Steve (and their dog Tito) joined them for the event too!

Mrs. Florida Kelly rode in a Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car courtesy of her friend Mike Aubrey.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with her mentoring Princess, Shelby waiting for the parade to start.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was invited to be in the Wellington Holiday Parade!

Mrs. Florida Kelly at Iron Eagle Motorcycles for the Project Lifesaver Poker Run. Kelly was a committee leader for this event.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with her favorite contestant from the show Little Miss Perfect.

Mrs. Florida Kelly rocking the runway at La Casa Hermosa's All That Glitters Gala.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was honored to be asked to chair the American Lung Association's Inspire Life Breathe Free women's lung health luncheon.

Mrs. Florida Kelly attended the American Lung Association's Food & Wine Experience at Legacy Place.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was a guest speaker at Relay for Life Singer Island. She shared her American Cancer Society volunteer experiences.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was a guest speaker at the YWCA's Mommy & Me Day.

Mrs. Florida Kelly at the Walk to Defeat ALS helping get signatures for their advocacy project.

Mrs. Florida Kelly in the Lake Worth St. Patrick's Day Parade in her 'Green Machine.

Mrs. Florida Kelly at the Peggy Adams Walk for the Animals with her two rescue dogs, Tito & Ricky.

Mrs. Florida Kelly with 7-time Grammy nominee, Doug Bell from Bellevue Cadillac.

Mrs. Florida Kelly was one of the celebrity judges for the Starz of the Future Talent Competition.

Mrs. Florida Kelly testing out a motorcycle at the Project Lifesaver Poker Run Kick-off party.