Friends Rescue Friends

There is still time to participate!!

The best heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary — aka YOU✨🤍

Join the Friends Rescue Friends Team for the annual Wonder Run 5k! Whether you participate online or in person, you have the chance to challenge yourself AND change the lives of children!🏃‍♀️

The Wonder Run 5k benefits the families working to raise enough money for their child to receive their very own service dog; and YOU can be the hero that helps them towards their goal. Visit the link in my bio or visit the WAGS 4 Kids website to get started today!

Want to support and empower young women throughout the state of Ohio? Give them opportunities to share their S.E.R.V.E. Initiative? Then being a local director is for you!

With service dog by her side, Texas teen with epilepsy, autism wins Miss Dallas pageant The pageant newcomer said her whole goal was to be present with her service dog and “show people that you can do it with a disability.”

Come watch me compete as Lucky # 7 in the Miss Ohio Volunteer Pageant! I’m feeling ready, excited, and at peace. All good vibes appreciated and I hope to see you there!🫶

Hope to see you Saturday night to watch our two new titleholders be crowned💙 Tickets available at the door:
$20.00 adults
$10.00 children under 12
Bring a new toy for the Red Wagon Campaign and get $5.00 off your ticket!

Officially sharing the ✨WINNERS FOR THE “STRUT YOUR MUTT” PET PAGEANT✨ Our celebrity judges have deliberated and the results. are. in. You’ll notice that one of our Judges Choice Awards has two recipients — they both have tied!

🤍Top Prize Winner — Rachel Ralston and Finley, ‘Hop To It’

🤍Runway Ready — Karley Bond and Pixie Fern Bond, ‘Pageant Ready’

🤍Cutie Patootie 1 — Elaine Bonnie Schumm and Rainbow Pie, ‘Fear the Rainbow’

🤍Cutie Patootie 2 — Hanna Brown & Chris Caldwell and Coco, ‘Sporty’

🤍Most Ferocious — Shania Moore and Lucifer, ‘Prince of Darkness’

I want to congratulate our winners and thank EVERYONE for their participation in my fundraiser! Your donations help children across the state of Ohio get the service help they need to participate fully in life. Until next year!

I am so blessed and excited to represent OHIO at the National Sweetheart Pageant!!! Thank you for all of your support on this journey!!!

Ava Marguerite Moore - Miss Buckeye Volunteer
Ava Marguerite Moore

We are so excited to have represent Ohio at the this coming weekend! Good luck .marguerite! She is officially off to Hoopeston!!
O-H.....

The Wonder Run 5k is ALMOST HERE!

If you missed the window to pre-register, don’t worry! You can still participate in person TOMORROW! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ If you registered to participate virtually but want to go in person, email [email protected] and show up to run for a great cause!

If you can’t participate but still want to support, visit the link in my bio to donate to WAGS 4 Kids :)

LOVE! 🤍

All-inclusive playground coming to Dillon State Park A Straker Foundation grant will allow the Ohio State Parks Foundation to build an ADA playground at Dillon State Park.

🤍🤍🤍

Celebrating Disability Pride! - https://mailchi.mp/wags4kids/wags-4-kids-newsletter-june-9157241

Inclusivity Tip # 12 — start talking to your children about how to have an open mind and be inclusive.

This is WAY easier than you think and a child can never be too young to start learning about how important their actions are when interacting with others.

A really effective way to start this dialogue is by reading books with your kids! Not sure what to read? You’re in luck!

I just released the Friends Rescue Friends Reading List! 📚 There is a variety of topics included in this list including the importance of mental health, inclusion of those with disabilities, and embracing a person’s identity. Available NOW on my website — link in bio!

Be proactive about cultivating a kinder community. Being inclusive is common sense but not commonly practiced, so help create the habits early!❤️

The “Strut Your Mutt” Virtual Pet Pageant is OPEN NOW and ready to see your fuzzy friends dressed to the 9’s 🕺

This fundraiser is not just for dogs! Whether you want to enter your goldfish, dog, or gecko, everyone has a chance to be entered for the top prize. 🏆 Pictured is Sheriff Sully, the cat with two clubbed feet.

ALL proceeds from the “Strut Your Mutt” Pet Pageant benefit , which means that YOU are helping to give children with disabilities the service help they need. Who knew — such a fun event for such a great cause!

Scan the QR code for participation instructions or visit the link in my bio :)

Friends Rescue Friends Inclusivity Tip!

# 11 — Encourage children to be inclusive at a young age. This can be done easily through reading books!

This is one of my favorite ways to encourage kids to be inclusive! A lot of parents are hesitant to start conversations about being inclusive to other kids that look different or have a disability, but when a child is exposed at a young age to diverse literature, it’s natural in a real-life situation.

My favorite book to read to children is ‘You Are Enough’ by Margaret O’Hair!

If you would like to book Miss Buckeye Volunteer to read to your dance class, summer camp, after school program, or Girl Scout group, visit my website to book an appearance!

Miss Wheelchair USA is happening NOW in Ohio — check it out!!

how to be gender inclusive for fun school events!

Small changes that make school communities Welcoming for all parents/caregivers!

Pride Month is coming to an end, so we have one last Pride-Inspired Inclusivity Tip!

# 10 — Learn about pronouns and ALWAYS ask a person’s preferred pronouns.

Pronouns are what we used to refer to another person. More recently, the possible pronouns used have expanded to include other genders rather than just male and female.

There are so many resources to learn about pronouns, even on social media! They are very easy to learn and even easier to apply in every day conversation. Respecting pronouns and asking someone’s preference opens healthy dialogue and establishes a supportive and welcoming environment. Help your friends and get comfortable learning about pronouns!

Just because Pride Month is ending doesn’t mean you should stop your support of the LGBTQ+ community. 😉

Catch me spending my time outside preparing for the Annual Wonder Run!!

On August 13th, 2022, YOU can get moving for a great cause! Whether you want to make the trip to Cleveland or participate online, you’re serving yourself while serving others. For more info, visit the WAGS 4 Kids website!

I’m putting together my Friends Rescue Friends team — want to join?!

Another Pride Month Inclusivity Tip!🤍

# 9 — Challenge anti-LGBTQ+ remarks, jokes, and hateful language.

This doesn’t have to look like a huge argument; confronting someone about hateful behavior can be a very civil conversation. Eliminate yourself as a bystander and call attention to hateful talk!

In order to be an ally, it’s extremely important to start uncomfortable conversations like calling out anti-LGBTQ+ language. There is no room for being a bystander as an ally; hateful people will be embarrassed by their behavior and how they react will say more about their character.

This is a practice you should implement EVERY DAY. Not just during pride month. Don’t forget that it’s actually free and doesn’t cause any effort to just BE KIND. 😉

PRIDE MONTH INCLUSIVITY TIP!!🤍

# 8 — Don’t judge someone’s gender by their appearance and be mindful of gender stereotypes.

It is extremely important to understand that people and pronouns CAN CHANGE; identity is flexible! Gender stereotypes often guide how we view others and cause assumptions of gender and pronouns.

A good rule of thumb is to always use gender-neutral verbiage and ASK someone’s preferred pronouns. Regardless of how YOU identify and feel comfortable, this is an easy way to make others feel important.

P.S. — you should practice this regardless of whether it’s pride month or not. 😉

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

The “Strut Your Mutt” Virtual Pet Pageant is officially underway!! You have the chance to enter your furry friend to win 3 Special Awards or the Top Score Prize🫣 This super fun event is a great way to make fun memories with your pets (not just dogs 😉) and support a great cause!

Participation is simple — just scan the QR code or visit my website (link in bio).

ALL proceeds will benefit into their general fund, which provides children with their very own service dog! I look forward to seeing everyone’s entries ;)

Miss Volunteer America recap ✨👑

I had the BEST time in Jackson for the !! It was so amazing to finally be in the audience to watch Jaeleen shine. She did such an amazing job and was the perfect Ohio representative!

Feeling so blessed to watch the crowning of the very FIRST Miss Volunteer America! I also got the privilege to meet our first national teen titleholder. Congratulations to both winners on a deserving victory!

This production was run with so much transparency, positivity, and was so entertaining. I am so proud to be a part of an organization that prioritizes empowerment of contestants even at a local level! I felt like a queen the moment I arrived and everyone was so welcoming and kind! and her team did an amazing job!✨

Friends Rescue Friends Inclusivity Practice!

# 6 — Stop saying the r-word. It’s not a verb, it’s not an identifier word, it is a slur. This word has severe negative connotations and is highly offensive! Even if you are not directly calling someone the r-word, it is still NOT OKAY.

It is important that we do what we can to make everyone feel included, and that includes not singing someone or something out by using a word that was once nomenclature (unfortunately). Not only is it offensive, but if you still use the word, it says more about your character than anything.

Here again to remind you that it costs no money and requires no effort to be kind.