Atlantic City, NJ (April 18, 2016) - On Saturday, April 16th, Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell joined forces with titleholders and volunteers to host community service projects across the country in an effort to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America State scholarships. The combined efforts of the second annual "Miss America Serves" event included service projects that took place in homeless shelters, hospitals, parks, neighborhoods, veterans centers, schools, and much more.

Betty kicked off the "Miss America Serves" event with a national celebration in Washington, DC, where she rode and performed "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. After the parade, Betty joined the team of Miss District of Columbia 2015 Haely Jardas and the 2016 Miss District of Columbia contestants for two special service projects for the veterans.

First, Betty, Haely, and the contestants visited the Armed Forces Retirement Home, where they put on a talent show for the veterans. Betty closed the show and spent quality time with the veterans taking photos and thanking them for their service.

Next, the team visited the Veterans Administration Medical Center, bringing the Cherry Blossom Parade right to their halls. Betty and the Miss DC team finished the day with another performance of their talent show followed by a meet & greet with the veterans.

The Miss America Organization is so proud of the efforts of all the directors, titleholders, and volunteers who participated in the second annual "Miss America Serves" national day of service. Service is a cornerstone of the Miss America program, and we hope that "Miss America Serves" continues to inspire others to volunteer and make a difference in their communities throughout the year.

Click here to watch the Hometown Productions video recap of the Miss America Serves events in Washington, DC.

If you would like to support an official "Miss America Serves" team or make a general donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in honor of the event, please visit: www.MissAmericaServes.org.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.

ABOUT THE MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION
The Miss America Organization, a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, is the nation's leading advocate for women's education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually. The Miss America Organization is comprised of 52 licensed organizations, including all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Miss America contestants contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised over $13 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007.

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Press release issued on April 18, 2016