Monday, October 29, 2012

Continuing to help Animal Friends all over the US!










For the 3rd year in a row, I was invited and able to attend the Reality Rescue event in Glendale, VA last year.  (Unfortunately, due to work commitments, I was unable to attend this year)  It's because of those work commitments, NO COMPLAINTS, btw-as I always give so many thanks to God for the fact that I'm doing/pursuing what I love to do to make a living for myself and my kiddoes!  Better late than never, as son, too wise for his 15 yrs. of age tells me, I'm, finally, posting images from this fun and, thankfully, succesful event that reunites close to 100 Reality Show contestants.  April Mueller is the organizer of this wonderful event.  Here we are giving interviews for the fun internet show "Reality Nation,"  where I made new fabulous friends, fellow Host and Reality Show family (BIG BROTHER's Kevin Campbell), beautiful, Chelsia Hart whom, in my characteristic silly mode, I sang a love song to!  Click on the video to hear and see me doing a very silly dance!:
Here I am w/April: .
We got to mingle in the evening w/fellow contestants from ALL seasons of SURVIVOR and stars the likes of: Ozzy Lusth (3x SURVIVOR player:  Cooks Islands, Fans vs. Favorites, South Pacific)  and a special treat for me to run into my SURVIVOR FIJI "brothers" (below right) Earl and Dreamz. The following morning, we got to meet some of the doggies we were helping to rescue, here they are in the below videos: Besides getting to reunite with fellow SURVIVOR castmates/friends, meeting the doggies we're helping to rescue, for me a very special part/highlight, is meeting the wonderful, faithful, supportive, kind fans. Here I am w/one of my youngest fans and with one of my favorite sweet fans and  during the "Meet & Greet" Session:The last day, those of us who still had energy in us, played in a Soccer game w/some of our fans, who donated money to get the chance to play in the soccer game with us! I'm tellin' you, our fans are absolutely wonderful. I can't thank them enough. They have been a huge Blessing in my life.
Apparently, I'm like the Energizer Bunny...I just keep goin' and goin'...until I get voted off..LOL/:(  If you know me personally, you know that I'm ALL about having fun, being silly. My daughter, in fact, recently told me "mommie, the thing about you is you don't just act like you're 5, you REALLY think you're 5 yrs. old" ...yes siree Bob! Life is too short, I wanna laugh through it and, if I'm lucky, put smiles on as many people's faces as I can along the way. Hopefully, this will put a smile on yours:)  with my soccer team. Btw- we're NOT messin' around. Unfortunately, one of our kindest fans, Curt Clarke (4th from left) suffered a TERRIBLE injury when he slid to steal the ball from the other team.  I told you we're not messin' around. Here I am givin' it my mightiest "Grand Bat ma" Ballet kick..lol He ended up in 6hr.surgery!! w/a broken ankle bone:((  & I'm done folks...lemme grab my purse and call it a day! Click here to see more "Animal Friends" events: http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=animal+Friends and for more coverage from Reality Nation:www.realitynation.com

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Eva's Heroes Casino Night, 2012



On the Red capet donning one of my brother's NIKOLAKI vintage designs.
 I'm so happy & grateful  to be a part of Eva's Heroe's Casino Night, once again, this year. I've been very fortunate to have been a part of this event since it's inception 5 years ago. In fact, it's one of the very 1st "appearances" after my experience on CBS's SURVIVOR. Click here for images from the very 1st and 2nd Eva's Heroes events: http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Eva%27s
This time, it was at the JW Marriott Resort.  It was a special evening featuring Poker tables, of course and even Slot Machines!

 There was a Live and a Silent Auction which was, thankfully very succesful once again this year. I believe last year raising over $100,000.   Above to the right, some painting's by my good friend, Lettie Longoria's husband, Hector.  They also had a XBOX Tent set up where you could, well, play XBOX games. Here are Mario and Eva, playing like a "brother" and a "sister," well, not quite, shall I say like a grown up brother and sister would play,  having a blast!
The event was Hosted by the Eloquent Bill Taylor, Kens 5 Meteorologist 
former colleague of mine from my beginnings on local television: HEB Plus! TV Spokesperson and Fill In morning news traffic anchor:

I'm forever grateful to Bob McGann and Kurt Davis for giving me those opportunities. I look forward to re-joining the Kens 5 team in the near future, if another opportunity opens up for me! I always enjoy running into my friend, Mr. Gordon Hartman, whose Foundation:  goes hand in hand w/Eva's Heroes.http://www.hartmansa.org/  Last, but not least, with Eva's wonderful family whom I treasure:  Lisa, Ella and Enrique..I adore them!


A quick interview on the Red Carpet on her way into the event:












SA Disabled Athletes Christmas Party at Morgan's Wonderland, 2011








 I've been very Blessed that God seems to bring to me, put in my path, opportunities to be involved, at any level, w/helping those w/special needs, as is the case that I've been a part of  Eva Longoria's events to raise funds for her organization, Eva's Heroes. Click here for images from past Eva's Heroes events:  http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=eva%27s+heroes.  One of my dear girlfriends, Manola, is VERY involved with the San Antonio Disabled Athletes Organization. She knows of my desire to help people with special needs so she invited me to the San Antonio Disabled Athletes Organization Christmas party last year.  I was soo happy to be a part of this. My mother tells me that , ever since I was a little girl, I've always had a connection with people with special needs.
You don't have to twist my arm to get me to dance! I had so much fun dancing w/Melissa Cheatwood and other wonderful children..I'm a pretty good dancer-bein' Latina and all..LOL, but I gotta admit, they taught me a move or 2! If you don't belive me, check out the pics below!
Throw yer hands up in the air everybody!-hey, at least I'm not clapping-my kids told me that clapping while you're dancing means your OLD!!! You're welcome for the tip:) lol

I don't think this one needs a caption, but  I'm gonna put one anyways, this is what you call "gettin' DOWN!"


Here I am with a beautiful little girl who I was THRILLED to have her mother tell me she was a fan of my  World Car Hyundai commercials!  I also met this extremely talented artist. He brought his art book to share with everyone that evening. Here I am trying to show off one of this creations:) Hope my daughter doesn't get jealous, she's also quite the artist! A Christmas party wouldn't be complete w/o Santa Claus!  Here we are asking for what we want for Christmas..(ps-this is a great Santa because I got what I wanted-to be w/my kids and see them getting everything they asked Santa for:)   If you take a CLOSE look, you may recognize him..hint, hint, he's known in San Antonio as one of the most prominent home builders and he's the force behind "Morgan's Wonderland."   Alrighty, if you just can't guess, here's your last hint!
W/Gordon Hartman and San Antonio Disabled Athletes Ambassador, Melissa Cheatwood
This Wonderful Christmas party was held at the Morgan's Wonderland Auditorium. For more information please click here:www.sanantoniodaa.org

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Emcee for 1st Annual HEALING HEARTS Gala benefitting THRIVEWELL Cancer Organization 2012






A couple of years ago, I lost my best childhood girlfriend, Diedra Auci Bradshaw and a fellow Survivor Castaway and friend, Jenn Lyon, to breast cancer.  Ever since my friend Diedra was diagnosed, I started doing what I could to help raise awareness and funds for this cause, from Blood Drives :http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=donating+blood  to Rallies around the country with fellow Reality Show contestants http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Reality+Rally to posing in a Hollywood Glamour Pin Up Calendar;http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Strike+a+Pose.  A few months ago, one of my fellow "Celebrity" Pin Up Calendar Models,  San Antonio Fox Evening News Anchor Karen Martinez asked me to help her organize a Gala to raise funds for the THRIVEWELL Cancer Foundation.  Besides my above connection to this cause, Karen has become a Hero of mine as a working mother who hasn't let the Breast Cancer she's currently battling, slow her down. She is absolutely AMAZING! I was so Honored to help organize this event alonside another of her fellow News Reporters, Yami Virgin and ESPN Radio Host, Chris Duel.  As if that weren't honor enough for me, Karen asked me to Co-Emcee the Gala alongside Fox Weather Anchor,  Mike Hernandez.  One of the friends that I reached out to for help with the event was Eddie Romero, GM of TELEMUNDO.  I'm very lucky that they have always been tremendously supportive of  my work on television and in the community.  Thus, they produced a beautiful PSA which they ran on air to help me promote the Gala (below).  FOX was also tremendously supportive and had Karen on a few times to promote the Gala before and after the event. Click here to see an apperance on the Fox @ 9 Morning show: http://www.foxsanantonio.com/newsroom/daytime/videos/vid_353.shtml below with my AMAZING  parents (my Dad, 2X lung cancer survivor) and beautiful daughter.





 Karen was VERY  gracious to let me have a  moment to Honor my Hero, my father:  Click here to see/listen why: Thanks to EVERYONE who came to the Plaza Club to attend the Gala, including our Guest Speaker, the poised Mrs. Erica Castro, wife of the Mayor of San Antonio: and a special thanks to very generous sponsors who gave us items for the "Live Auction"   The "Healing Hearts" Gala was a HUGE success.  We raised $30,000!!  Please, click here for beautiful photos of a night full of delicious food, fun music and most of all, HOPE:) :www.healingheartsgala.com