Tri for the Cure

This past Sunday, I participated in the 4th Annual Tri for the Cure, an all female sprint triathlong benefitting Susan G. Komen.  What an unbelievable experience.  I competed in the Denver Tri for the Cure in 2007 and I couldn't wait to participate again.  After completing 8 laps of swimming, biking over 8 miles and running 2.5 miles I completed my 2nd triathlon in 1 hour and 2 minutes.  I was amazed about the amount of women who took on such a physically challenging event to benefit breast cancer research.  There were women of all ages and physical abilities competing.  Despite my somewhat competive nature, I found myself being a cheerleader to almost every women I came across.  What an empowering experience.  I can't wait for next year's Tri for the Cure!!! 

Bon Vivant Culinary Judge

On Sunday, March 28th, I was asked to be a Culinary Judge at the Bon Vivant Food & Wine Tasting Event held at Rawhide.  This event benefits the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley.  I, of course loving food, gladly accepted the invitation to judge.  Upon arriving, I was assigned the category of Desserts.  Wahoo, I was hoping I would get this category!!!  I, along with Dinna Higgins from the Mesa City Council, judged over 8 different restaurants and caterers selected desserts.  We had everything from truffles, fondue, bread pudding, key lime tart, flan and many more.  The winner was the fruit flatbread - flatbread topped with warm chocolate syrup, fresh raspberries, strawberries and bananas!!  Unfortunately, the restaurant or caterer was kept from us when selecting the winner, so I am not sure which restaurant/caterer produced this heavenly dessert!!!  After judging the desserts, I was asked to judge the best booth at the event. This single-handedly was Rawhide.  What a great booth - wonderful presentation, great service and amazing food! 

My husband Greg had the opportunity to attend this event, for a change.  What an event to attend. He was able to sample food, wine, beverages, and liquor while I was fulfilling my judging duties! 

I am suprised to say... I think I can have had enough dessert for awhile!!

Cystic Fibrosis 65 Roses & Fine Wine Dinner

I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's 65 Roses and Fine Wine Dinner held at the Montelucia in Paradise Valley.  The event earned it's name "65 Roses" because children often have difficulty pronouncing Cystic Fibrosis, so they say "65 roses". 

What an amazing event - beautiful setting, great people, over 100 wines, fantastic food and a great cause. I had a blast with the 3 CFF employees that I was paired with that night.  I was personally in charge of selling "prize boxes".  We had a table full of over 60 "prizes", each box contained a description of the prize you won.  Boxes sold for $100 or 3 for $250.  Let me just tell you I think it might be easier selling prize boxes at a charity event, than it is selling checking accounts!  I managed to sell all but 12 boxes by the end of the cocktail hour.  Not too bad considering the current economy. 

Thank you Lori Wray for putting on such a beautiful event.

Stuff the Pig Cupid Event

On February 11th, I emceed a Cupid themed "Stuff the Pig" Event at the Montelucia Resort from 6-11 pm.  

This was an exciting, fun event to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley "Change 4 Kids" program. BGC helps over 30,000 kids throughout the valley and has been named one of the nations top kid's charities.  This event was complete with cupid stations, live music by PHEED and Angela Anne, silent auctions and more.

Thank you Jennifer Jackson of Rock Me Arizona Events for putting on a fantastic event!

London's Run Charity 10K

On January 30th, I laced up my running shoes and headed out to Queen Creek at 6 am in the morning to participate in London's Run.  I decided last minute that I needed to support such a wonderful cause, even if I had not been training for the 10K distance.  London was just like any other 6 year old girl until she was diagnosed with an aggressive type of leukemia.  She spent 7 1/2 months in Phoenix Children’s Hospital undergoing five rounds of intense chemotherapy with only a few trips home to visit family and friends.  In December 2005, while in her fifth round of chemo, she developed an infection her weakened body could not fight and she passed away December 21st. Throughout the entire race, I used London's story of courage, determination and passion to spur me on.  I managed to complete the race without stopping once.  In fact, a small group of us were misguided on the route and we ended up running an extra 1.5 miles.  Apparently, right after our group passed by a checkpoint, the remaining runners were guided to the correct route.  Oh well, it was for charity!  I have to admit, now I have the bug to compete in a 1/2 marathon next year. 

Appearances, Photoshoots and More

Now that the new year is here my Mrs. Arizona preparations are in full swing.  First, lining up community appearances, speaking engagements and more.  So far, I have lined up appearances or volunteer work at the PF Changs Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, Hope for Animals Luncheon, Pat's Run and several other community events.  If you know of an organization that could benefit from my service, please let me know.  I am willing to do anything from event planning, emceeing, selling raffle tickets, manual labor (setting up and tearing down), public speaking and more.  

My husband surprised me with the best Christmas gift - a photoshoot with Benizo for my new headshots.  Somehow, I don't think my Miss Arizona 2003 headshots will work - after all they are 7 years old!  And all of my Colorado Crush Girls headshots simply were taken with a totally different style in mind.  I'll be sure to post the results of my January 23rd photoshoot.

Sponsorship Opportunity

Hello Friends and Family!

Since I started in pageants over 15 years ago, what I have always enjoyed most is the community involvement and opportunity to give back to the organizations and causes that improve the towns that we live in.  And even today, I feel a responsbility to continue my involvement in bettering the community.  The 2010 Mrs. Arizona Pageant being held in late May is an opportunity for me to this, but only with the help of everyone around me.  The Mrs. Arizona program is a great program for married women to build and maintain confidence, challenge themselves and take an active role in the community.  Through my participation in Mrs. Arizona America, I hope to achieve all of this and more and I hope that you can be part of my journey.

 To participate in the pageant, I will not only be dedicating my time, but must also raise $1,195.  This fee covers everything from a 3-part program workshop to my accomodations during the competition, required swimwear and opening number attire.  I appreciate any suppoort you can offer me during this exciting endeavor.  To help meet my goal of $1,195, I have created 3 sponsorship packages below for anyone who is able to offer a small finanicial contribution:

• Gold (any amount from $150 and above) - Includes a free appearance at an approved event/business function, an autographed 5x7 headshot, your name/business listed as a sponsor on my full-page ad in the 2010 Mrs. Arizona Program Book and an ad on this blog.
• Silver (any amount from $100 - $150) - Includes  your name/business listed as a sponsor on my full-page ad in the 2010 Mrs. Arizona Program Book and an ad on this blog.
• Bronze (any amount from $10 - $100) - Includes and ad on this blog.

Any support from you is greatly appreciated. If you choose to be a sponsor, please send a personal check, cashier's check or money order made payable to Corrie Francis to 1309 E Treasure Cove Dr Gilbert, AZ 85234.

Thank you in advance for you support along the way!

Corrie