Do1Thing Blog

Kathleen O’Donnell-Pickert, 17,  is all blonde ambition – - to help homeless teens in Newark by giving them their prom night, a night that most of these kids never dreamed of having. Kathleen found out about Do 1 Thing because her parents donate to Covenant House and she knows Janette Scrozzo, the Outreach/Volunteer manager at CH. The more Kathleen learned about Covenant House, the more she wanted to help out. Luckily, she could also get her gold star scout award with Covenant House.

So Kathleen put up flyers at her school, Westfield High School in Westfield, NJ and at her church. She got 20 volunteers to help her put together the Covenant House Prom for 75 – 80 young people. She’s been overwhelmed with donations of gowns, tuxes, make up, nail polish, everything your average teen wants to look his or her best on prom night. There will be a dj, a buffet dinner and goodie bags for everyone. Kathleen’s dad will photograph everyone and each prom-goer will get his or her photo in a frame decorated with Valentine hearts.

What the attendees don’t know yet is that the New Jersey Nets have donated 4 tickets to a Nets game to each of the teens. Now that’s sweet!

Miss Exclusive 2008 poses outside Covenant House in Newark. The Charmin in the window was donated.

A load of pink bags, escorted by two pretty girls from Seton Hall, one of them wearing a banner — Miss Exclusive, 2008 and a silver tiara, of course, are here to check out the community outreach opportunities at Covenant House in Newark, N.J. The Miss Exclusive Pageant holds a beauty pageant event each year. But don’t just think they are all beauties and no brains, says Miyokee, who was crowned at the current Miss Exclusive.

The organization, besides finding the next Miss Exclusive, prides itself on building the self esteem of young girls, says Cathy, a tall, pretty young woman, sporting oversized pink glasses. “We invite high school girls to participate, encouraging them to meet other young girls who are doing something positive with their lives,” says Cathy.

Miyokee, who was rather shy at first, chimes in. “It’s about empowering young girls, helping them believe that there is nothing they can’t do.”

And that includes taking away the crown  from Miyokee.