Wolcott, Conn.’s Alyssa Anderson is hoping to create some miracles on Thursday, April 4.
Anderson, who is currently holding the title of Miss Greater Watertown in the Miss America Organization, will be holding “A Night of Miracles: ‘For the Kids.’” on that night.
“As a titleholder in the Miss America Organization, I serve as a goodwill ambassador for our national platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Anderson explaining why she organized the event.
Although Anderson is expected to help the CMN as a titleholder for the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization, she said the cause holds a deeper meaning for her.
“For 22 years, I was a patient of our local CMN Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s Cardiology Center,” said Anderson. “I am grateful for the care that they provided me with.”
The personal significance of CMN extends to her family as well, said Anderson. The hospital performed open heart surgery on her brother when he was just a week old.
The fundraiser is called “A Night of Miracles,” said Anderson because the CMN hospitals—such as Hartford’s Connecticut Children Medical Center – “make miracles happen for local sick kids and injured kids in local communities around the nation.”
For this fundraiser, Anderson said “There is a spectacular menu planned for the event including a cheese and bruschetta station, five delicious appetizers, rigatoni al la vodka, baby shrimp and pesto risotto, a carving station with steak and potatoes, and a fabulous dessert table.”
“My talent show winner from last year, Caitlin Cunningham will be performing her award-winning lyrical solo to ‘Gold,’ by Linda Eder…. There will also be a vendor table with Touchstone Crystals by Swarovski and a DJ.”
“It is sure to be an incredible night of good company and lots of dancing,” said Anderson.
Additionally, the current Miss Watertown said, “I will officially be crowning Miss Greater Watertown’s Outstanding Teen, Jenna Landmon, this evening and she will be sharing a special performance with us.”
Anderson has held state titles for several years. She said she took this route for her 2019 event because she has made a point of trying something unique each year to help the CMN. There have been pail shakes, pasta dinners, and talent shows.
“This year, I wanted to go larger than ever before with hopes of raising more money than ever before,” said Anderson, who will compete for Miss Connecticut on June 7 and 8 at The Palace Theater in Waterbury.
“As Miss Greater Watertown,” she said, “I wanted to support a local business and thought The Grand Oak Villa was the perfect place. They have a magnificent ambience and beautifully decorated ballroom. The owners have been extremely supportive of this fundraiser.”
“I am hoping to have 100 attendees and raise $2,500 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Anderson.
Anderson also is accepting donations through PayPal (paypal.me/MissGWatertown2019) or through her fundraising page, missamericaforkids.org/Contestant/AlyssaAnderson.
“A Night of Miracles… ‘For the Kids’” will be held Thursday, April 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Grand Oak Villa, 55 Sylvan Lake Rd., Watertown. Tickets are $45. Advance tickets are available by email MissGreaterWatertown2019@gmail.com.
