Countdown to Mrs. MD. Tomorrow

WOW..who knew time would fly by so fast. I will be competing in the Mrs. MD. Pageant in Harrisburg, Pa. tomorrow and can't wait. I am ready to lay it on the line to bring the "CROWN" back with me. This is where my hard work meets preparation and I am ready. Thanks for all your prayers, sponsorships and support. Will up...date as soon as it's over..Saniel you are my inspiration. Love You

Mentoring Session with BMHS Track Team

The mentoring session was targeted to the student-athletes and parents from the track and field team of BMHS. We covered areas of preparing a profile package, interview questions to ask interviewers or coaches, interview tips and ranking schools based on what's most important to mentees and parents. Each mentee was given a package to be used for tracking and managing their college search process, sample questions for interviews and a sample profile sheet to be used for submission to coaches and admissions.
Looking forward to the next session and seeing results from the assignments that were distributed.

"To whom much is given, much is expected"

Sandra

Countdown to Mrs. Maryland U.S. 2010

Only 17 days left for the Mrs. Maryland U.S. Pageant. I have one more submission to send in for my community service projects and appearances and have met the deadlines for all of my other entries. The opportunity to participate in community service events through volunteerism and community service has been truly rewarding. It has allowed me to promote and follow my passion and highlight how our involvement can have a positive impact and make a difference in lives. I am working hard to bring home the title and crown for Mrs. Maryland and look forward to the competition and bonding with the other delegates from Maryland and Pennsylvania. I will update later once I send in my service package. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. Love you Guys!

Mrs Maryland & Pennsylvania U.S. 2010 Orientation

I was so excited it was Sunday and time to get on the road to meet the Pageant Director Siouxzan Moore and the other delegates. I immediately felt comfortable and started to connect with the delegates for Md. & Pa. We had a "fantastic" information session with a lot of important details that we needed to know especially if you have never participated in a pageant before.

We finished with the meeting and then started rehearsals. It there that we really let our hair down and started connecting with each other and really having a good time. We took pictures, talked and then separated for our drive back home. A few of us have already connected on face book and counting down to pageant day on April 24th. I am humbled and honored to be part the Mrs. Md. US. pageant highlighting that we are examples of how everyone is capable of changing lives through community involvement, our achievements and versatility in our lives.

I am really looking forward to competing and wish all of my pageant sisters from Md. and Pa. good luck on pageant day.

Sandra

Girls Night-Party with a Purpose Update

The ladies showed up on Friday, March 26th with bags and bags of hygiene products to be packaged for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Some of the items donated were: feminine products, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, body wipes, shampoo, conditioner, alcohol wipes, q-tips, cotton balls, pampers, baby wipes, baby oil gel, lotions, dental floss, sanitizing gel and other necessities.

We separated everything and set up an assembly line and packaged 125bags. They will be donated to one of my team members church locally where they have an adopted church in Haiti and missionaries have been visiting and delivering critical items needed for their church members who are currently living in tents.

We really had a great time putting the bags together and I had everyone asking how soon I would have the next event. i still had 6 friends who were not able to make the event but wanted to drop off items to be used for the hygiene bags. I am really happy that my friends have been so supportive and have defiantly embraced the true meaning of giving back and helping others through volunteerism.

Sandra

Tracey’s Kids – Red Carpet Premiere Event

On February 24, 2010 I attended Tracey’s Kids – Red Carpet Premiere Event where my company was a major sponsor at the Luck Strike Restaurant in Washington D.C. There were award presentations for the Courage Award which was give to The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The Tracey’s Kids organization is a “pediatric art therapy program that helps young cancer patients cope with the emotional stress and trauma surrounding cancer and it’s treatment” One of their young patients shared her story and how the organization has been supporting her through her journey for treatment. In addition to the awards presentation there were simultaneous screenings of Avatar, Up in the Air, The Blind Side, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Bastards, Julie & Julia and Up. The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz shared her journey of going through cancer treatment while maintaining her responsibilities as a member, mother and wife for over a year without her children or colleagues knowing what she was going through. I had an opportunity to speak with her after the presentation and complimented her on the courage and residence she showed in handling such a challenging life situation. She was really nice and we had a great chat with her and also met and spoke with Chris Matthews. This organization does great work and provide such as critical support for families going through cancer treatment.

Sandra

A Tribute to the Resilience of Haitian Women

On Wednesday, March 11, 2010 I had the pleasure to be a guest at “A Tribute to the Resilience of Haitian Women” an event sponsored by my company. The event Mistress of Ceremony was Maureen Bunyan and was attended by Special Guest and Humanitarian Award Recipient Sean Penn and Anna Pierre who received the Model of Resilience of Haitian Women Award. First Lady Lola Poisson-Joseph was recognized for all of her involvement and dedication in improving the lives of families and women in Haiti before and more so after the recent devastating earthquake. Her foundation Children & Families Global Development Fund, Inc. has been very instrumental in the recovery efforts and empowering women and families to a sustainable future. Here is an excerpt from her comments:

“I long for Haiti to be the paradise I knew as a little girl. I still smell the roses on the Champ-de-Mars. I can see the clear waterfall of the Bicentennaire! I am sharing my vision with you so that together we can make the dream of a better Haiti become a reality”
Lola Poisson-Joseph, Founder Children & Families Global Development Fund, Inc.
His Excellency Raymond A. Joseph – Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti personally recognized his wife’s dedication and commitment to pursuing avenue where there is sustainable support for women, children and families in Haiti and for her never ending energy and efforts after the earthquake. The Ambassador was presented with over 4K packages of pre-packed pasta meals that were prepared by Washington Hebrew Congregation and there are be an additional packages prepared and delivered leading up to Easter. It was a great community effort to support the Haitian people and ensure that there is continued participation for what will be a long road to recovery.
I am hoping with my Girls Night with a Purpose we will also be able to have a positive impact in preparing personal hygiene packages that will make a difference in the lives of the families and friends in Haiti.
Sandra

Pageant Preparations

Participating in the Mrs. Maryland U.S. 2010 Pageant has been a really exciting experience for me. I have been able to expand on my platform of volunteerism and mentoring because of my title as Mrs. Mid-State U.S. 2010. My appearances has been great and have benefited people who really need help during our current economic situation. It's interesting how a small gesture to help or extend a hand towards someone during their time of need can make a difference. Sometimes it's a small as a smile or a word of encouragement is the only thing needed to help uplift someone who is going through personal challenges. God has truly blessed me to be able to be a positive impact through volunteering and I am humbled.

Pageant Day April 24th is almost here and I am ready to complete the other phase of my journey with many more phases to come. My prayer is to represent Maryland and go on to Nationals. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Sandra

Upcoming College Scholarship Mentoring Event

I have been working with a number of seniors and juniors at Bishop McNamara High School to discuss college scholarship opportunities. We have been reviewing college options, preparing profile packages and getting ready for interviews and being ready to present themselves to recruiters and interviewers. I will be scheduling meeting with the group over the next two weeks and look forward to a great session.

I am still holding phone sessions with various seniors on their status and current situations with potential colleges. All of the mentees have the potential of securing full scholarships for athletics, academics or a combination of both.

I am extremely proud of all the mentees and their focus and dedication to securing a college scholarship.

Girls Night with a Purpose

My next event will be "Girls Night with a Purpose" where I have invited friends and family over to donate personal hygiene products that will be packaged and donated to friends who have family members in Haiti. I have asked for the following items to be donated: soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, personal body wipes, feminine products, small wash towels, hair brushes, combs, lotion, cotton balls, alcohol wipes, pampers, baby wipes,shampoo, band aids, cortaid, diaper rash ointment etc.

We will package the items in large zip lock bags and deliver to missionaries who will be visiting over the next two months and will be able to directly donate to Haitians who are living in tents outside. We are excited about being able to do a small part to help our extened families in Haiti to try and bring some normalcy to their lives.

All of the attendees are very excited and can't wait to get the packages ready for distribution. Looking forward to a very productive night with the ladies.

TV Interview - Bowie Television

Last week I had the great opportunity to be interviewed for The Ed Brown Show which is a local segment on local Bowie Television. The segment lasted 30 minutes and was a great venue to be able to promote the Mrs. Maryland U.S. Pageant, Mrs.United States Pageant and my platform of volunteerism and mentoring. The host Ed Brown was very interested in my platform as he also is active in the community through volunteerism and service. I focused on discussing my time and involvement as past President of The Marlboro Boys & Girls Club, involvement with Bishop McNamara Track Team, collecting food, clothes and personal hygiene products for shelters and the needy. I will update the dates for when the show will be aired later this week. Thanks for all of your support and thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

Local TV Interview Postponed

Hi Friends - With all of the snow we have had over the past week in the DC area my interview has been postponed to next week. I was really looking forward to interviewing and having an opportunity to promote my platform of volunteerism. I will keep everyone updated on the new date. Stay safe.

Always - Mrs. Mid-State U.S. 2010

Sandra Bryan Grier

Girls Night - Party with a Purpose to Benefit Haiti Disaster

Planning on having "Girls Night-Party with a Purpose" at my house and to have friends bring over personal care products that we can package in individual bags for men and women that will be donated to the Haitian Embassy. My heart goes out to the people of Haiti and this is merely a small way to help provide some kind of relief for them. I think of all the women and young girls who are outside in the elements and in need of personal items and have nothing. My prayer is that this helps relieve their situation.

Always remember that - "To who much is given, much is expected"

Local TV Station Interview

I am looking forward to my interview with a local community channel next week. This opportunity will allow me to highlight my platform of volunteerism, the Mrs. Maryland U.S. 2010 Pageant and how important our involvement is in the communities where we live and serve.

Looking forward to updating everyone on the detail of where and when it will air. Thanks for all of your support and for being there when I needed you the most.

Sandra