Miss N.J. contestant aims to help children’s hospitals

In an effort to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network, Miss Avalon 2010 Christine Giardina will be hosting Kids’ Night at Friendly’s restaurant, 180 Ferry Road, Old Bridge, on March 16.

Christine Giardina Friendly’s will donate 15 percent of customers’ bills to the Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that provides financial support to children’s hospitals nationwide, according to a press release.

Customers simply have to tell their server that they would like Friendly’s to include their order in the night’s fundraiser. Also, from 5-9 p.m., children can make special crafts at their tables, meet Miss Avalon and have the local titleholder for the Miss New Jersey organization serve them.

Giardina, 20, of Manalapan, won the Miss America Organization’s (MAO) local title of Miss Avalon in October and is now a contestant in the Miss New Jersey Pageant, which will be held in June.

Giardina is a junior at New York University, double-majoring in broadcast journalism and economics. She plans to pursue a career as a business news reporter.

“Ever since I was 4 or 5 years old, I watched the Miss America Pageant on television every year with my mom. It became our own little tradition,” Giardina said in a follow-up interview. “I was really influenced by their dedication to academics and community involvement, in addition to their talent and grace. I saw how incredible the Miss America experience was, and it was something that I was always working toward.”

Giardina became involved with the MAO last fall and won the title of Miss Avalon 2010 in October. She won the preliminary swimsuit, interview and evening gown awards, but she said hearing her name announced as Miss Avalon was “a really special moment.”

“It was something I have been working toward my entire life. The title has opened so many doors for me and has allowed me to become involved with so many organizations, especially the Children’s Miracle Network,” she said.

Giardina had previously volunteered at children’s hospitals and raised funds for different child health-related causes on her own.

She became involved with the Children’s Miracle Network — which raises money for medical care, research and education, and aiding in the treatment of more than 17 million children each year — because it is the national platform of the MAO, meaning that local and state titleholders, as well as Miss America, support the organization through volunteering and fundraising.

Since it was established as the national platform in 2007, MAO has raised more than $3.5 million for the network.

“I am so grateful that the title as Miss Avalon has allowed me to become so actively involved with the Children’s Miracle Network. It has truly been a blessing. I think it is incredible that all of our titleholders are standing together behind this cause to support and promote it. It really sends out a powerful message,” Giardina said.

Regarding the March 16 fundraiser, she said Friendly’s is the perfect place because it is a child-friendly restaurant, allowing children and adults alike to support children’s hospitals.

Giardina said she will be there the entire night to meet with customers, and she will bring crafts for children to do at their tables.

“Whether customers come for dinner or make a quick visit for dessert at the ice cream bar, it will make a big difference for the Children’s Miracle Network,” she said.

Giardina will host another event on March 20 at the Columbian Club of Old Bridge, 61 Pine St., Old Bridge, to benefit lung cancer awareness. For more information about the March 20 event, call 732- 617-1343.

— Brian Donahue