published: Sunday, February 17, 2013

Miss, Jr. Miss AP use status to raise money for worthy cause

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

AVON PARK - Breauna Washington and Taylor Massey, two young women who've been thrust into the spot light recently, are using their positions in the community to raise awareness about a cause that is dear to their hearts.

Massey and Washington are the reigning Junior Miss and Miss Avon Park. The two girls not only have their crowns in common, but they share a sad common denominator as well.

Both Massey and Washington have had to deal with a loved one battling heart disease within the past year.

Massey's mother, Renee, underwent a successful heart transplant, of which she has had a full recovery.

Washington lost her grandmother, Janet Horsham, in August as a result of difficulties during her heart transplant.

"They are trying to bring awareness to this issue. It's not like breast cancer where it's all over the place and everybody knows about it, so it's taking some work. It's a cause that is very dear to their hearts because of my mom and Taylor's mom," said Breauna's mother Kim Washington.

Since the beginning of February, Washington and Massey began the Go Red for Women with Heart Disease Campaign. The duo has been making strides to raise awareness of the disease throughout the city of Avon Park and are working to spread the news throughout the county.

On Feb. 1, Washington coordinated a Red Day event at Walker Memorial Academy where she, fellow classmates and administration covered the school with a sea of red clothing to honor the cause.

The girls have planned several other awareness events, as well as fundraisers, to help raise money to help support the charity. Washington and Massey have organized a booth that will be on display at the 34th annual Springtime on the Mall Festival on March 22 and 23. The booth will feature information regarding heart disease in women, activities and more. Donations will be accepted during the event.

Other events are being planned that will culminate at the ladies' final day as the current Miss and Jr. Miss AP. The Miss Avon Park pageant will take place on April 27 during which the girls will be succeeded by the incoming misses. Washington and Massey will donate all of the money raised prior to the pageant to Women with Heart Disease Awareness charity.

"Instead of doing the normal fundraising and normal community involvement that most winners do, they wanted to do this charity. They wanted to honor Renee and my mom and bring awareness to this charity and disease," Washington said.

Anyone interested in donating to the Miss and Jr. Miss Avon Park Go Red for Women With Heart Disease Awareness Campaign may contact Washington at miz
ztrini75@gmail.com for more information.