The 53 contestants in last year's Miss America pageant will carry out public service projects next month as part of a nationwide day of service.
The Miss America Organization says the April 18 "Miss America Serves" events will raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals while helping charities around the country.
"The `Miss America Serves' event will bring together contestants, families and friends to serve their communities," said Kira Kazantsev, the reigning Miss America. "The Miss America Organization has a long history of service, a cornerstone of our program."
Last September, the 53 contestants volunteered at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, working the food preparation and service lines in the kitchen, meeting with mothers and children living at the Family Life Center, and replenishing the food pantry. That event inspired a national effort for each state representative to serve their home state.
Volunteering at Children's Miracle Network hospitals; cleaning up parks, beaches and neighborhoods; assisting youth and senior organizations; visiting nursing homes; collecting clothes; stocking food pantries and feeding the homeless are some of the things the former contestants will do.
They will encourage family and friends to donate to the event, which will be held annually.
The Children's Miracle Network has 170 member hospitals that treat 10 million kids each year in the United States and Canada.
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The pageant is held each September on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
