Contestants in the Miss Virginia Outstanding Teen Program will leave the glitter and gowns behind on Wednesday to work in the shelter and the 4th Street Thrift store at the Rescue Mission. About 50 teens ranging in age from 13 to 18 will be making beds and sorting donations as part of a community service project.
Linda Haas, executive director of the Virginia Outstanding Teen program, says giving back to the community is an important lesson for these emerging young leaders. “We want to give at least one day of the pageant to giving back. The Rescue Mission is just an amazing place, and for the girls to get to be hands-on and have this experience and be in touch with the people served there, it’s an eye-opener.”
The Outstanding Teen program is a “little sister” to the Miss America pageant. The winner in Virginia receives a full tuition scholarship to Hollins University, and advances to the national competition in Orlando later this summer. There are 28 young women competing for the Virginia title, and another 24 participating in a training program. This is the seventh year contestants have visited the Rescue Mission, where they will participate in work projects and have lunch on Wednesday, June 24 from 11:00a.m. to 1:30p.m.
“We’re delighted to have them back,” says Mission CEO Joy Sylvester-Johnson. “We appreciate their hard work when they’re here, and we’re always supportive of efforts to teach young people the importance of volunteerism. These girls have a lovely spirit and a sincere desire to serve.”
The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, located at 402 Fourth Street SE, is a 501(C)(3) grassroots organization serving as a Christian Crisis Intervention Center for Southwestern Virginia. Receiving no government funding of any kind, the Rescue Mission is supported by the generous donations of our community partners. Since 1948, The Rescue Mission has consistently served all people in need regardless of race, creed, gender, age, or ethnicity. For more information about the Rescue Mission call (540) 343-7227.
