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

Winning SURVIVOR and Reality Show OVERALL Fan Favorite !

I have always tried to show my gratitude for all those who showed me their support during and after my participation on the CBS Reality show, SURVIVOR Fiji.  It's hard to believe, but it's been 7 years since then  Last year,  the European SURVIVOR fan group REALITY EU https://www.facebook.com/realityshoweu asked me to send them a special hello! I was in middle of an event for PEOPLE en Español Magazine where I was doing Red Carpet interviews for the webshow I've been Hosting this past year, LATIN CONNECTION TV  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CddlRPz4cI, but I took a moment to send them this greeting.
One of my motto's in life is "it takes so little to make someone happy!"  Then, they were SOOO sweet & thoughtful and made this video which touched me so deeply.  
Here's my response to them:


A year later,  I was beyond pleasantly surprised to wake up one morning to find my fb page with the announcement that I had won the European Reality fan group's,  2014 "Reality Show OVERALL Fan Favorite" Award!  My gratitude, I hope, is clear!  I will continue to be as accessible as  possible to all those who have shown me an continue to show me their unconditional support, admiration and love. Please know that it's entirely reciprocated! (#cbssurvivor,#survivorfiji,#ritaverreos,#fanfavorite,#survivorfanfavorite,#realityshowfanfavorite)

Member of the Board: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ALL Star Charity Fundraiser 2014

With Kim Tindall, Winner of LLS All Star Woman of the Year, 2014

As they say, birds of a feather flock together! As such, at an event I attended to show my support for another dear friend, I met a giving woman, Angie Lozano (pictured with myself and TELEMUNDO Director of Marketing, Juan Zuani).  Angie was the 1st Runner up of a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Woman of the Year, 2013."  This year, she had joined a committee to help a fellow work colleague of her's, Kim Tindall, in her quest of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's National ALL Star Woman of the Year. Angie asked me if I could Volunteer to Emcee one of the fundraiser's for Kim's campaign.  At the same time that Angie approached me, I got a call from one of my dearest friends with the bad news that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer.  This prompted me to not just Emcee, but also  join the Fundraising Committee.

Click here to see me dance the Macarena...yes, you read right! Ha,ha, ha...as well as footage of a "Texas Hold' Em" Fundraiser our committee put together which includes  a fun interview of  Latin Grammy Winner Patsy Torres for the webshow that my fiancé and I Co-Produce & I Host, Latin ConnectionTV(#latinconnectiontv,#patsytorres,#latingrammy,#leukemiaandlymphomasociety,#allstarwomanoftheyear,#webtvhost,#coproducer,#carlmergenthaler,#ritaverreos)

Drum Roll please!  After 6 weeks of email blasting, fb posting-fundraising, I'm so very thrilled and proud to share that our Committees efforts were rewarded by the announcement that we had won the 2014 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's National ALL Star Woman of the Year by raising over 100K!! Here are images from the evening of the Winners Gala held at University of the Incarnate Word's Skyroom.

With Richard Ojeda, Winner of San Antonio's "Man of the Year, 2104"

With Bella & Jasmin Mazuca, LLS Survivors

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

Emcee for "American Idol" style Mariachi Competition featuring Grammy Winner, Vikki Carr

San Antonio's Main Plaza Conservancy Hosted this wonderful music event. Mariachi groups from throughout the City competed to win coveted spots in the renknown "Mariachi Corazon" group. It was an event that tested my longevity...or would that be on stage stamina? ha, ha, ha...because the event lasted from noon

to 11pm!  Thank you to  Jane Pauley Flores for having me as Emcee and also, allowing me to get an exclusive interview of the living legend, Ms. Vikki Carr for the webshow I Host, Latin Connection TV:

President of the Main Plaza Conservancy, Mr. William Scanlan Jr.

 (#carlmergenthaler,#latinconnectiontv#vikkicarr,#mariachicorazon,#mainplazaconservancy)

My fiancé, videographer and editor of Latin Connetion TV, Carl Mergenthaler.

Beauty Pageant Queens with a Purpose: Emcee for Children's Miracle Network fundraiser, 2013

I'm wearing a NIKOLAKI gown designed by my brother Nick Verreos (#ritaverreos,#emcee,#nickverreos,#echoemalone)

Last year, a beautiful young girl I met while on a work trip to Los Angeles, Echoe Malone, asked me to help her raise funds for The Children's Miracle Network. When I went through my experience on SURVIVOR, I felt it was an answer to a prayer.  At 1st, I was so grateful to God for helping me get through being on that island without breaking down, neither physically, mentally or emotionally.   I knew that I had accepted that challenge for several reasons, one was to give my children a visual of their having a strong mommie that was going to get us back on our feet after a divorce that left me in San Antonio, a city where I knew no one and had to start a career to provide for my children on my own from zero. From the 1st day on that island, I decided to stay strong morally and not "sell out." To stay true to my values of being kind and respectful and see how far I could get in that game playing it with integrity. To most, it may seem as if I didn't win, but quite the contrary, it has helped me to open doors that would have been so much harder to do without this "calling card."  I had already been on a local morning show for 3 years as a Spokesperson for the biggest supermarket chain in Texas, HEB PLUS!  
Shortly after my return, I auditioned for and got the job of becoming the Host of a Real Estate program.  
Since then, fortunately my career as TV host/Spokesperson has slowly but steadily continued growing. I'm still working towards the opportunity of ultimately becoming the Host/Co Host of a TV show like "Good Morning America," or "The View!"  You gotta dream big:)
Another even more wonderful thing that happened was one of my 1st fans, a woman in Michigan, asked me if I would go to an event-alongside fellow SURVIVORS to do an event that would raise funds for abused children who where getting well in a place called "House of Hope."  She paid me a wonderful compliment by telling me that she reached out to me because she loved how I played the game of SURVIVOR being kind.

Bruce Kanegai: Survivor Panamá, Billy Garcia, Cristina Coria, Misty Holmes: Survivor Cooks Island, Jed Hildebrand: Survivor Thailand, Lisa Kieffer, John Pollack: Survivor Vanuatu.

From that moment on, I have been so grateful and humbled by the continous flow of invitations to help charities raise funds/awareness for their causes nationwide and in my community.  I chose to use the public image/name that being on SURVIVOR gave me to give and help others. This event is one more such answer to God's call to help others. When this young lady reached out to me, I dug into my frequent flyer miles to fly to Los Angeles and help her.  She wanted me to Emcee:)  Here are some images from that event where I'm so lucky to have been accompanied by my then boyfriend who...the very next day...gave me the SURPRISE of my life when he asked me to marry him and just like that event from "boyfriend" to fiancé!!! 

With my Co-Emcee, Chris Bryant

With Comedian, Stevie Mack

"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)

"Bustin' a move" with my friends with Special Needs at the Morgan's Wonderland Charity Christmas Dance Party

One of the highlights of my year is the Christmas party at Morgan's Wonderland.  For the past several years, I've been so Blessed to attend this fun event thanks to a friendship I've made these past several years.  One, in particular, an exceptional girl & athlete, Melissa Cheatwood (below) Melissa's quite a basketball player who belongs to the SA Association for Disabled Athletes.  Her and her mother, Julie, are so very sweet to invite me year after year to the Morgan's Wonderland Christmas party. This year, I invited a friend whose daughter with Special Needs, unfortunately, passed away last year, #Yolanda Ayala.

  You can see for yourselves how much fun we had with my beautiful and sweet friend Melissa.  We also made many new friends like adorable Shealynn Hoelscher who, like me, LOVES to dance!

with my sweet and pretty Melissa and Yolanda

Making new friends, the dapper Gabriel Felan and his beautiful mother

 Here I am with my friend and owner of "Morgan's Wonderland" and his pretty daughter, Morgan. I just love seeing Morgan because she always greets me with that sincere smile that radiates so much love and infects everyone around her with the love of life that she has.

I mentioned I enjoy dancing...well, I lied...I REALLY enjoy dancing. Here I am dancing with some of my new friends. A very sweet couple who shared with me that they're recently engaged! Reminded me so much of the feature film that my fiancé and I are Co-Producing and Acting in: "Jimmy and Mia" that is about an adult couple with special needs that falls in love.  Please, click here to take a look and, please, "like" our fb page! :www.facebook.com/jimmyandmia

Check out this guy and me giving Michael Jackson a run for his money!! Well, he's definitely giving Michael Jackson some competition..don't know so much about me...I think I need to stick to my ballet and Salsa dancing! LOLYolanda and I had a really nice time dancing with this sweet young lady. She was having such a wonderful time dancing by herself...it was contagious to watch her so we decided to join her! (#morganswonderland,#gordonhartman,#specialneeds,#ritaverreos,#survivorfiji,#tvpersonality,#coproducer,#jimmyandmiafilm,#carlmergenthaler,#actor)

THANK you, Gordon Hartman for, once again, another successful and super fun Christmas party. Mot of all, thank you for everything you do to further the inclusion of wonderful people who have so much happiness and love to give to the world.....I think the photos and videos above are, as they say, worth a thousand words! 

Please, click here to see images from my past Morgan's Wonderland events:  http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=SA+Disabled+AthletesI just couldn't get enough of this talented "Michael Jackson" dancer... I hope you enjoy watching him as much I enjoyed dancing alongside him! 

My fiancé and I are Acting in and Co-Producing a wonderful movie that he wrote that tells the love story of 2 Adults with Special Needs.  It's called "Jimmy and Mia." Please, click here to take a look at the trailer for the film which is currently in Pre-production. We're in the process of procuring investors and some wonderful "name" actors for our film. If you're interested in helping us procure funds for "Jimmy and Mia," or know someone who might be interested in investing in a project like this one, please, send us a message on our Facebook "Jimmy and Mia" page: www.facebook.com/jimmyandmia