Red Carpet Correspondent at Eva Longoria's Casino Night to Benefit "Eva's Heroes" Charity 2013

With the Director of Eva's Heroes, Christianne Perkins Garcia

 Doing what I can to help foster awareness and funds for those with Special Needs is one of the causes I MOST champion.  I have been involved w/doing so for the past several years including attending my fellow Latina Actress & Producer, the beautiful & Talented Eva Longoria's EVA'S HEROES Casino Night Charity events, either as a "Celebrity" Guest or, in recent years, doing my work as a Red Carpet Correspondent: http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Special+Needs , http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Eva%27s+Heroes.   Here's my candid Red Carpet Interviews for LATIN CONNECTION TV at last year's event, featuring interviews w/actresses from the Cast of Eva's Hit #Lifetimetv show, #DEVIOUSMAIDS and her on-screen hubby from #Desperatehousewives, Ricardo Chavira! 

 Eva's parents are the SWEETEST people, remind me so much of my own, Jim & Raquel:) They were among my 1st and biggest fans during my participation on the CBS Reality Show, #SurvivorFiji 

 As such, I was grateful and humbled to have gotten pulled aside, while doing my work on the Red Carpet, to be interviewed as a "Celebrity" at the event! I'm AMAZED and beyond grateful at the outpouring of continued admiration for my participation on SURVIVOR Fiji. It was w/o a doubt, 1 of the hardest things I've ever done, but so very, very worth it! If you scroll below this post, you'll see a very recent award that I was just given by the European SURVIVOR fans...SURVIVOR FAN FAVORITE & OVERALL Reality Show Fan Favorite 2014!   Back to the REAL stars (pun intended) of Eva's Heroes Casino Night, Eva's Sister, for whom Eva's Heroe's was founded, the sweet and very fashionable, Lisa and the "Boy of the Year," 

The event didn't let down, as usual. There were even water dancers!  Here I am w/Eva's mom and a dear friend a close family friend, Lettie Longoria & w/one of my dearest friends, my fellow Greek, Barbie Partalas who was my "date" for the event because my hubby who is usually doing double duty as Videographer and the most handsome date, was out of town:(   Nowadays, seem's nothing's complete w/o a group shot.  Here's one for you...Eva surrounded by the Vegas Style Showgirls. When Eva does something of her sister, she goes all out! When I say "all out" I mean with Penguins greeting you! Water dancers... Live Auction and Live Band! 

  To get the complete  "Celebrity" experience, I even got an autograph of one of the "Devious Maid's" Actresses, the very sweet & pretty Edy Ganem for one of my followers and friends, José Casteñeda:) 

I'm certain next year will have lots of surprises in store! For more information about Eva's Heroes programs and how you can get involved with helping the Special Needs Cause, please, click here:   http://www.evasheroes.org

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

Eva's Heroes, Casino Night 09

Eva does it again! I'm so happy to have been able to attend Eva and Tony's Casino night this year. More importantly, I'm happy to do whatever I can to help Eva with this organization dedicated to enriching the lives of those with developmental challenges. Her sister Lisa, by the way, is absolutely delightful, and, may I add, has an eye for fashion...she was so sweet to compliment the dress I wore that night..of course, one of my brother's NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos, designs. Nick has real celebrities wearing his designs on the Hollywoood Red Carpet, but I'm representin' in our San Antonio Red Carpets! I had a great time at the Golf Tournament that Eva did a couple of years ago, where George Lopez Hosted the main dinner.
Here I am with Eva Longoria-Parker at this year's Casino Night(above)
(below)With Al Frakes, Chairman of the Greater San Antonio Film Council and Brad Leland, from the hit series "Friday Night Lights." Ever since I met Eva's mom and dad, Ella and Enrique Longoria, I fell in love with them. They are such down to earth, sincerely kind and sweet people. Every time I see them, they make me feel like a "mija" or family and I just love them so much for that and for having rooted for their hometown "Survivor!" Los quiero mucho. Here I am with one of Eva's aunt's on my left and Ella Longoria on my right. Even though I've done the "Kids Exchange Celebrity Waiter Dinner" for the past couple of years, I had yet to get a photo with the handsome Spur, Brent Berry. His wife, Erin, who is absolutely stunning, let me borrow him for this photo:) (below)
and here I am with the sexy Leanne Tweeden of NBS's Poker After Dark.

Actor's Workshop

Here I am w/Mario Lopez, again, at an Actor's workshop produced by Joy Reinagel. I first met Mario a couple of summers ago in LA. His agent, Jimmy Villareal, was proposing me as a Co-Host w/Mario for an ESPN show as they were looking to replace a correspondant. Turns out it wasn't meant to be because they were, in fact, looking to replace a correspondant in Mexico City. That would have been pretty hard for me to do being in LA...I'm good, but not that good..lol. Anyhow, I remember I wasn't excited to meet Mr. Lopez because this was coming on the heels of his divorce from the GA GA GORGEOUS Ali Landry. I was to say, I was very pleasantly surprised with who I found. He is so down to earth and, of course, so freakin' charming! He's very faithful to San Antonio and since, I've had the pleasure of doing several events with him here: Eva's Heroes, this actors workshop and the Dancing With the Stars event I mention below...I was having a bad hairday that day..lol