Build A Bear Drive
Dec. 17, 7 to 10 p.m.
The Falls – Store A180
www.EarthFloridaPageants.com

Build-a-Bear drive to benefit children in hospitals

Florida Earth Pageants is inviting the community to get into the holiday spirit by attending a Build-A-Bear drive on December 17 at 7p.m. at The Falls. The drive will allow everyone to build their own stuffed animals and then donate them to Recycle the Love, one of the pageant’s platforms.

“We are taking all donated bears and other toys to children who will be spending Christmas Day in the hospital,” said Brittney Ronda, 15, the reigning Miss Teen Earth Florida. “We’ll spend a few hours with the children, read stories, play with them and distribute all the donations collected.”

This is the second event in the month hosted by the Florida Earth pageants. Ronda organized an Ice Cream Social last week at Wall’s Ice Cream Parlor. “We had tons of people come and eat ice cream with us.” Ronda explained. “Wall’s is giving us 30 percent of all proceeds and we will be purchasing more toys and decorations for the Christmas party for the children.”

Florida Earth Pageants are preliminaries to the Miss Earth system, the only one in the world dedicated 100 percent to environmental education. Besides representing the State at the national and international competitions, Earth titleholders are active in their communities year-round.

“We invite everyone to give us a hand and contribute, so these children who for one or another reason are spending the holidays in a hospital, also have the opportunity to enjoy these days,” said Kelly Saks, 24, Miss Earth Florida.

“We are proud to say that all our titleholders are truly committed to serve their communities and make a difference,” said Pageant Director Sandra Silva. “These are ladies as young as 14 going out there and getting the job done. We have donated over 2,000 books to local elementary schools, cleaned up local beaches, planted trees, and led educational activities for children in the last six months, just to name a few.”

The drive will be hosted by Miss Earth Florida, Miss Teen Earth Florida, Miss Earth Kendall, Miss Earth Weston and Miss Teen Earth Gulf Coast, from 7 p.m. until closing time. The Build a Bear Workshop at The Falls is located in store A180 at 888 SW 136th Street in Miami.

For more information on this and other fundraisers visit www.EarthFloridaPageants.com