"Celebrity" Spokesperson and Emcee for DRESS FOR SUCCESS Charity at 1st Annual Powerwalk

Recently, while at lunch with my mother, I made friends with our waitress. My kids and fiancé will tell you this is nothing new. I can't help it...I'm a people person:) Something about her stood out to me. She had a light about her, a constant smile on her face. As we were getting ready to leave, I complimented her. A few sentences later, she said I looked familiar. She was very sweet when she suddenly placed me from some of the work I've done on television in San Antonio. We quickly realized we were both single working mommies. She shared with me her early days of struggling and how an organization in San Diego helped her get on her feet. She then shared with me that she was very eager to get involved in the community.
 I immediately remembered my involvement a couple of years ago with an organization called DRESS FOR SUCCESS that helps women in need. With so much going on, I could have sworn I had already written a post about this, but when I searched for it on here, I found it had fallen through the cracks. So, here it is. As my son always tells me "Mother, it's better late than never!"  OF course, that's his response to when I realize he's yet to do something I've asked of him..LOL.

A couple of years ago, they asked me to be their Local "Celebrity" Spokesperson for their 1st Annual POWERWALK.

 The event brought out lots of people for a walk/run around the Wonderland of the America's Mall. These folks brought it because when I came down from my unplanned Salsa Dance with the band that was the entertainment for the event, my friend Ray Colao's band: 

With "Dress for Success" Director, Pamela Taylor and the Mayor of Balcones Heights-where the event was taking place, Suzanne De Leon

A few months before the event, the "Dress for Success" Organization held a Gala to Honor & Highlight some of their Success stories.  Here I am with a fellow television colleague, Ursula Pari, Anchor of the Ksat Evening News..the # 1 Evening News Telecast in San Antonio!

I'm wearing  a NIKOLAKI gown designed by my brother, Nick Verreos. Project Runway, Season 2 Top 5 and current Mentor on Lifetime TV's UNDER THE GUNN.

My participation on SURVIVOR Fiji was a Blessing. I'm so grateful that I realized what a Blessing it was so very early on (maybe not while I was out here on that island starving! LOL) All this I write to tanks SURVIVOR for giving me one of the MOST priceless gifts that I have ever been given (more valuable than the million dollars I could have won on there). A way/a tool to help others. I'm so happy that this young lady is now going to reach out to the DRESS FOR SUCCESS organization to do what she can to help them. If any of you who read this are also interested in this cause, please, don't hesitate to reach out to them.http://www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?sisid=61&pageid=1

THANK you, once again, to Charles Villafranca and Pamela Taylor for having made me their local "celebrity" Spokesperson for the event held a couple of years ago-advertised on this flyer.(#ritaverreos,#dressforsuccess,#spokesperson,#philanthropist,#ksat,#ursulapari,#nikolaki,#nickverreos,#redcarpetgowns)

Emcee for "Women in Heels" Fundraiser for DRESS for SUCCESS Charity to help Abused Women, 2014

A couple of months ago, a fellow Beauty Queen Title Holder, Valerie Anne Chavirra, Mrs. Rivercity United America 2013 approached me to Emcee an Abused Women's Shelter Fundraiser Fashion Show. She had seen my work to help the DRESS FOR SUCCESS Foundation. I was Honored to be a Local "Celebrity" Spokesperson, alongside "THE BIGGEST LOSER" Trainer, Jillian Michaels who was the DRESS FOR SUCCESS National Celebrity Spokesperson or a Marathon Fundraiser last year. Please, click here for images/video of that event! : http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Dress+For+Success

The Women in Heels Fashion show, thankfully, was a HUGE success, thanks, of course, to ALL the wonderful giving people who participated including, one of my dearest friends, Dr. Thomas Jeneby, pictured here w/some of the models from the show. They are holding a HUGE Gift Basket worth close to $1,000 worth of Beauty Products from his Spa: Black Spa. (#drthomasjeneby)  Besides Dr. Jeneby being a warm hearted, giving philanthropist, he is one of the best Plastic Surgeons in San Antonio.  For more info. about him and his practice, please, click here: http://www.drjenebyplasticsurgery.com

Dr. Jeneby, Valerie Anne Chavira and the Director of Dress for Success, San Antonio, Pamela Taylor

I was doing double duty as Emcee and Host of the webshow LATIN CONNECTION TV!

(#ritaverreos,#latinconnectiontv,#varietywebshow,#dressforsuccesssanantonio,#pamelataylor,#womeninheelsfoundation,#fashionshow,#fundraiser) 

Correspondant for Latin Connection web TV at The Ferrari Kids Charity Red Carpet event, 2014

Recently, at a fashion show benefitting an Abused Woman's organization, DRESS FOR SUCCESS, I met a gentleman, Manuel or Manny as he's affectionately know, Diotte,  who heads a wonderful organization, The Ferrari Kid (www.theferrarikid.org)Manny took from his very personal experience as a Child to come up with a simple, but extremely rewarding idea.  Through a collaboration with Ferrari car owners, Manny provides these kids are coping with cancer, dealing with illness, going thru chemotherapy, radiation, and so much more.....with a ride  in a Ferrari.  Making them feel like a  celebrity for a day! 
Recently, he put together a shopping spree at one of the most popular outdoor Malls in San Antonio, Texas, La Cantera.  Different shops collaborated to provide manicures etc. as well as a delicious Italian meal, courtesy of Luciano's. I was so touched by this that I offered to add, hopefully, to the "celebrity" experience, by offering to do "Red Carpet" interviews of the children. 
Take a look at their "Red Carpet" moments! (#theferrarikidorg,#ritaverreos,#manueldiotte,#shopsatlacantera,#redcarpetcorrespondant,#dressforsuccess,#lucianositalianrestaurants)
* For images from a past DRESS FOR SUCCESS event: http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Dress+For+Success

My Brother's SEARS commercial!!

I write this with tears of happiness and pride for what my brother has achieved. The funny thing is, he was ALL that WAY before Project Runway. I will never forget when he called to tell us that he was being considered for the show. That day I got one of those chain emails about making a wish (I know..very a propos for the commercial you just viewed, right?), and I wished for my brother to be chosen for Project Runway. The very next day, while having lunch with our mom, Nick called to give us the good news. I was crying and screaming at a local restaurant, Aldino's, thank God the owner is a good friend. The rest, as they say, is history! A little side note: the sewing machine that my mom gave my brother, belonged to our beloved grandmother, whom we affectionately called "mamayita"...a word that when Nick was a little boy he made up. It is a combination of the word "Mama" and "abuelita." That perfect combination is what our grandmother, Rosina, was to us. Nick, btw, was her absolute favorite so I know she's definitely smiling and, if I know her, had a part in his success as her nickname for him was "Rey" or "King." For the longest time, I thought that was my brother's name..lol.
My brother and I have always stuck together, as a team. I remember dreaming w/him of being the next Versace/Donatella of the fashion world. I'm thrilled that Nick made it all on his own, but he always includes me in his fashion shows and talks about my being one of his "muses," so, if you look closely enough, you'll see me in the commercial..I'm the model to the right of Nick as he takes a quick bow on the runway. See if you can spot me in the full version of the fashion show featured in the commercial, below. Everyone who knows me for the past 20 yrs. know that I ALWAYS wear my brother's gowns. In fact, see the Miss California photos below. The silver gown happens to be a "vintage" gown that was hand sewn by my brother almost 20 years ago!! As you can see, my brother is a genius! The green gown that I modelled in the video below, I wore to the Miss Universe pageant. There's a photo of me in that dress with my brother at the Miss Universe pageant in LA a couple of years ago.