Michelle Bergh

 One of the things that really touches my heart about the National American Miss (NAM) pageant is that they strongly encourage every contestant to donate at least one book and stuffed animal when they check in at registration. 

 Whoever wins the pageant gets ALL of the donated items, and the new Queen gets to donate them to the charity organization of her choice.

 I was so happy that I won, and I couldn't wait to donate these items!   I had two huge cars completely stuffed full with books and bears.

 Because I had been involved with the Minneapolis Children's Hospital in the past, and had even performed and co-hosted their closed-circuit TV show there, I selected them as my primary organization.

 Unfortunately, children's hospitals can only accept new items.  Many of the items that were donated were gently used.   So, I sorted out everything, bought, donated and solicited for donation additional new books and toys. 

 I donated all of the new items to the children's hospital.  I donated the like-new, but without tags, items to the Ronald McDonald.  And I donated the gently used items to Cerenity Care Center to be used as Bingo prizes for the resident's Bingo events.

 I'm certain these items brightened the lives of very many people, both young and old!

Below: With Children's Hospital Donations Director, Maggie Overman, and some of the boxes and bags of donated books and stuffed animals