Grand Marshall for Charlie's Friends Inc. Animal Rescue group

Everyone who knows me well knows that I'm a HUGE doggy lover. Ever since the age of 8 years old, I have been adopting. I (saved 333 penies to adopt my 1st dog 😊 from the Humane Society in SFO). In my lifetime, have become mommie to 4 rescue dogs: Blackie, Blackie #2, Sacagewea, Naked and Caramelo and grand mommy to 2 rescue dogs-Glizzy and Nina.

Thus, I am so honored and grateful to have been asked to be the "Grand Marshall" at this Doggie Fashion show raising funds for "Charlie's Friends" a volunteer group dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support the efforts of local pet rescues organzations in Florida with the goal of placing abandoned and/or abused animals in forever homes.

Emcee for "Adventure Day For All" Event in the City of Coral Gables (Special Needs)

So grateful to God for continuing to answer my prayers of sending me ways to help others through the work I'm so Blessed to do as a TV Host. Those who know me well, know that one of the causes that I've been championing for decades is helping those with Special Needs. In this instance, I was thrilled, so very honored and grateful to the City of Coral Gables for having me as Emcee for an AMAZING event they hold every year: Adventure Day for All. During ‘Disability Awareness Month,' it's a day to have fun in activities that are FREE & fun for EVERYONE.

A little sidenote-My hubby and I have been working on producing a film about inclusion- a love story between 2 adults with special needs based on a childhood friend of my husband's, called "Jimmy and Mia." Click here to see the Sizzle Reel of this touching and inspiring movie written by my husband, Carl Mergenthaler. So I was particularly happy to meet the actors from the ASC Inclusion Theatre Project👏🏽

#ritaverreos #emcee #specialneeds #inclusion

Emcee for Miami Rescue Mission 2019 Masquerade Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel, Miami

So grateful to God for continuing to put in my path ways to help others.  Honored to have been the Emcee for the Miami Rescue Mission 2019 Masquerade Gala which took place in October at the Four Seasons Hotel, Miami.  All proceeds from the event going to the Miami Rescue Mission to distribute to women, children and men alike who are in need giving them support on all levels. PLEASE Click on following link to view video of the event:  Emcee, Miami Rescue Mission Masquerade Gala

Doing triple duty as Emcee, Host & Silent Auction Item?! at the Ronald McDonald House Charity 35th Annual Gala Fundraiser

I'm so grateful to God for continuing to give me ways to help others! When I reached out to Ronald McDonald House Charities to have them as guests on a "Community Affairs" Radio talk show that I used to Host on iHeart Radio in Miami  to help them promote this event, at the end of the interview, they surprised me asking me if I would consider being the Emcee for their 35th Annual Gala fundraiser!  ABSOLUTELY yes!  I also volunteered to be a Silent Auction ítem..yes, you read that right! I Volunteered myself and a fellow @CBS @Survivor Reality Show participant as a Silent Auction ítem: 

It was an honor to have been the Emcee for the 35th Annual Ronald Mc Donald House Charities Gala. This year it was held at the Donna E. Shala Student Center Ballroom at the University of Miami.  You can see a little of the beautiful view at the venue in the photo below 

with Soraya Rivera-Moya looking goregous in her emerald green gown!

 Besides being the Emcee...  I was also doing special coverage of the event for Latin Connection web TV.   Who was the inspiration behind the fouding of the Ronald Mc Donald House Charities? How did they raise the 1st 100K? How many Ronald Mc Donald Houses are there currently nationwide?  The answers from the Founders of Ronald Mc Donald House, Fran and Fred Hill plus special interviews with @Soraya Rivera-Moya, Dir. of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida  and Alexandra, recipient of a liver transplant and former ocupant at a Ronad Mc Donald's House PLUS hear from Fred and Fran Hill are here:http://www.latinconnectionmag.com/latin-connection-tv

With Soraya Rivera-Moya, Dir. of RMHC of South Florida at the Ronald Mc Donald House in Miami.

It was a night filled with delicious food courtesy of Aromas del Peru and groovin' to the sounds of Lucy Grau and, more importantly, testimonial that inspired donations to exceed the goal of 25K. I thank God for giving me this way to help this wonderful organization raise over 100K!  I visited the Ronald Mc Donald House in Miami.  While I was there, I saw many ways, besides montery donations that you can help! PLEASE, click the following link to see the MANY ways that you can HELP Ronald Mc Donald House Charities: www.rmhcsouthflorida.org 

I sign off being the proud sister of the designer of the gown I wore on the #redcarpet, a vintage #NIKOLAKI gown:) Can you guess why I wore gold? I'll give you another hint..I wore red polish...Still can't guess?  the Mc Donald colors! :)

Continuing to Coach Beauty Pageant Winners! Meet Miss Houston's Outstanding Teen 2018

I am so THRILLED and Honored to share with you another beautiful winner that I had the pleasure of Coaching
! As always, I thank God 1st and foremost for the opportunity to Coach girls and women.  Using my unique  techniques which combine developing a strong foundation of self esteem which I then teach them to apply to all the necessary áreas/requirements according to each particular pageant system:  Stage Presence, Runway techniques, Make Up, Choosing the right gown or Interview outfit, Interview and more! I also thank the earthly "God" of Beauty Pageants, Mr. @OsmelSousa for turning me into a forever @MissVenezuela when my dear mother and fabulous fashion designer brother @nickverreos, insisted that there was a Beauty Queen inside what I felt, as so so so many girls and women of all ages do, that I was an Ugly Duckling.  Thanks to my training for the Miss Venezuela Pageant, I know have and use the expertise to créate custom Pageant Coaching Training sessions according to your specific needs.

with Carrie Von Ludon, Makeup Artist Extraordinaire!

When Alexa Cyr came to me, she had NO modeling or pageant experience. What she had is all I need, a dream and Faith.  I use the tools I learned that have earned Venezuela so very many International Beauty Pageant titles and  I use them to help dreams come true.  You may click here to see examples of the winners I've been so Blessed to Coach (https://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Beauty+Pageant+Coach&max-results=20&by-date=true  I'm so  thankful to the fabulous makeup artist @CarrieVonLudon (pictured with me on the right)

for recommending me to Alexa's  parents(above)
Here we are in her 1st EVER Beauty Pageant Interview lesson:

Uh oh..looks like I gave Alexa a serious question!

Time to move onto the Stage Presence/Runway walk part of the training!  In just one lesson, as I always guarantee my girls/women, I gave her what I call the "tools" necessary to STAND OUT!  I have been on both ends of the spectrum and on both ends, as a contestant and as a Judge, it's ALL about standing out. My expert eye  can see the unique qualities you may not even you know you have.  My training will gives you the tools you needs custom tailored to give you the edge you need to STAND OUT and WIN! 

working on upper body placement

"Ms. Rita..is this where I should place my feet?"

Perfect teen sportswear pose...which won her the fitness award...

And the ULTIMATE WIN! foto credit: @LegnarEkim 

So Honored to have gotten the opportunity to Coach this extraordinary young lady who has gone on to apply my "Ms. Rita"Beauty Pageant training which focuses on developing your self-esteem!  Becausee from personal experience, I believe it's one of the MOST important and necessary tools that ALL women need more than ever, to achieve success at whatever your "stage" may be.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Mr. and Mrs. Cyr and to @AlexaCyr for being a prime example of the positive results of entrusting me with Coaching you! Click on the video above  to hear about one of the wonderful things that Alexa is achieving.  BRAVO Alexa. May God continue to shower you with Blessings!

"Walkin' the Walk" to help JDRF walk in Ohio! with my fellow SURVIVOR Reality Show "Castaways!" 2017 #Charity

Those who know me well, know that I'll go anywhere and pretty much to anything when it comes to helping others .

 Thus, when a couple of weekends ago, I got invited to be a part of the "Reality 4 Diabetes" Team for the @JDRF Walk in Ohio, thanks to the generosity of a sponsor for my flight and "The Crown Plaza" Hotel off I went for a weekend filled with events with SURVIVOR and Big Brother fans which raised funds to continue research to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. So far our team raised over 36K, but many of us, including me haven't reached our individual goals. I'm only $80 away!! from reaching mine. If you'd like to be a part of helping me continúe to help find a cure for Diabetes, PLEASE, click here to make any size donation. For a $10 donation, I'm happy to mail you one of my SURVIVOR Fiji Autograph cards. Send me a message on my instagram, Facebook or twitter account with your address so I can mail you the autographed card like the one below-the back also has pictures-those are a surprise for those who make the donation! PLEASE click on this link to make a donation:http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR/Walk/SouthwestOhioChapter4501?px=11428236&pg=personal&fr_id=6642

Now, back to everything I was so happy to do at the event to raise funds- I

went straight from the airport to the "High Wire?!"  at "The Main Event."  See for yourselves!

Ready to Walk the High
Wire before I Walk the JDRF Walk! 😬 I'm not gonna lie, it was kinda scary!!

 Next to this "high-wire" walk, one of the highlights of my trip was meeting a fellow iHeart Radio colleague.  The wonderful Mr. Moe Patterson who was also one  of the main sponsors of this event so THANK YOU so much Moe to you and your brother for providing the home where many of my fellow Reality Show Stars stayed. 

I'm glad  it's not such a small iHeart World-also, apparently i Heart employees are into wearing light blue-LOL

From there, we went to my favorite thing to do, meet the wonderful people that are making the donations to the JDRF. Here are some images from the 1st of 2 "Meet & Greets," that took place this weekend.

I  told you I was a "people-person!"  HUGS for my fellow Latina SURVIVOR 2X Winner, Sandra Diaz-Twine below on the left and Danielle, one of our youngest fans , on the right below

and with my "BIG BROTHER," Victor Arroyo, not literal, I mean from the Reality Show...LOL

Team REALITY 4 DIABETES! I'm on far-right middle...strking a pose, even at 8am💃

 ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET...GOOO!!

It was quite a crowd, of ALL ages. Check out the tiny participant in the video below...Wait, does a stroller count as a walk? LOL

 so I had to stop and do some "sight seeing" during the walk thru Kings  Island Amusement Park-France in the middle of Ohio-who woulda thank it? LOL

After the walk with a couple of my fellow SURVIVOR "Castaways,"  Jerri Manthey and Sugar 

Here I am about to partake in the GO Kart race alongside other fellow SURVIVORS and BIG BROTHER contestants!  

and on our last day...how about some Miniatura Golf? Yes, please, here I am with my "Miniatura Golf Team" comprised of SURVIVOR contestants and fans of the show! These wonderful fans pay a fee to participate in all of these fun activities with us. All the money gets donated to our JDRF "Reality 4 Diabetes" Team fundraiser which this year raised close to $30K!

Watch and learn peoples!  ...ha ha ha, but serisouly, I tied for 1st place!, yay!

On the last day, hours before embarking my flight to return to my home in Fort Lauderdale, we partook in what's apparently becoming a craze, The #EscapeRoom Experience. I had never heard of this, but there's a reason I was chosen to be on Survivor- I'll do pretty much anything-positive, of course. Here I am with another fellow Latino SURVIVOR "Castaway" Billy Garcia as we try to salve a puzzle as we warm up for our "Escape Room" task! 

Here we are with the rest of our "Escape Room" Experience Team was made up of  SURVIVOR fans. We had a BLAST figuring out the "mystery" hiding place of the Cincinnati Reds baseball tickets- We did it minutes before I had to be whisked away to the airport to cach my return flight!!! Whew!!

Not before giving a HUGE thanks to Tasha Wilkie and ALL the sponsors who made our being able to be there possible including The @CrownePlaza Hotel and a HUGE personal thanks to one of our DEAREST fans formerly known as "Big Mike" whom we're so happy for and proud of, btw, for his losing over 100 lbs, thus avoiding a diagnosis of Diabetes! THANK YOU so much Mike for sponsoring my flight.

Before I say goodbye for now, I want to give special thanks to one of our wonderful fans who many of us now consider a friend, the gentleman to who took MANY of the photos I featured here, like this one right above, Mr. Roger Beane. Arlighty, now I'm ready to say Hasta la próxima amigos! Until next time my friends! Love you 💗God Bless you today and ALWAYS!🙏

With my Fellow Reality Show friends helping "GIVE KIDS THE WORLD" Charity in Orlando, FLA

You can click on the following link to hear @JeffProbst, the Emmy Winning Host the @CBS #RealityShow that I was on, describing me as the "listener and nurturer" of my tribe during my participation on Survivor Fiji. (RitaVerreos: CBS SURVIVOR Fiji Highlights) Those who know me personas know that I am, indeed, very much a people person. As such, I played the game with a different kind of Survivor strength, the one that helped me stay true to myself and my valúes of integrity and kindness. I'm very happy that this came through as I began to receive invitations to help #charities, #organizations & #foundations across the US.   In this past year, I was Blessed to have gotten invite to participante in the "HEARTS OF REALITY"  fundraiser to benefit "GIVE KIDS THE WORLD"  through a series of events which included a "Pirate Theme" dinner and a 8 hr. long #MeetandGreetBelow are some highlights of my participation in the recent event in Orlando! Here I am with the Founder of "Give Kids The World," Mr. Michael Nuñez

Over 100 of us were at the "Pirate Theme" dinner! 

I brought my daughter as I'm trying to teach her to be a caring and involved  person

Here I am with several of my CBS SURVIVOR fellow "Castaways" from various seasons- Sandra Diaz-Twine,  Boston Rob, Courtney Yates and Todd Herzog and bottom left, speaking of family-a mother/son AMAZING RACE Team-Shari & Cole LBrant

MORE imporantly, the reason we were there...the sweet kids of "GIVE KIDS THE WORLD!"

and the next day at the "Meet & Greet," you can see the wonderful large crowd that came out!  Took about 8 hrs to meet everyone😍😍

I'm grateful to have fans of ALL ages! Yay!

& here's my most Huggable fan, Jason Rasmussen!

With one of my sweetes fans, Julie Bentz

                                               

The last night we said "hasta pronto!"  going back to the 80's... in case it wasn't obvious-LOL

 I'm happy to share that with our participation in the above weekend of events,  my fellow Reality Show friends and I helped raise OVER $135K for GIVE KIDS THE WORLD🙏