The Footprint Campaign Inc.- Create a path you want others to follow..Leave your footprint behind!

"Create a path you want others to follow...Leave your footprint behind"

The benefits of helping others or working with a worthy cause can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your lifetime. The Footprint Campaign is a service project that I started to inspire others to leave their mark on society. We utilize footprints to thank volunteers and inspire service.

At the age of 7 years old, I started my first volunteer project. Ever since then, giving back to the community has always been a priority. I have had the privilege to volunteer with over 100 different organizations over the years, including Best Buddies International, The Austin Shepherd Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy, Lighthouse for the Blind, Cooperative Feeding, and Children’s Miracle Network, to name a few. Those who volunteer put their hands, minds and most of all their hearts in the service they provide for others. A simple gesture can go a long way.

Through The Footprint Campaign, I am shining a spotlight on those who give and I am sharing countless examples of ways that others can be involved.  My goal is  to give out thousands of footprints to children all over our country. I want to convey the message that you are never too young to leave your volunteer footprint on your community!

Visit www.katieengleson.com for more information and to download the footprint PDF! 

March, April, and June Update!

So much has happened in the last few months I do not even know where to begin! It has been a while since I last posted so this may be a long one....but here it goes!

Early March I traveled 12 long hours from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to my hometown of Parkland Florida to compete for the title of Miss Fort Lauderdale. All my handwork and dedication paid off and I am proud to say I am the new Miss Fort Lauderdale 2013. This means I will be competing in just a few short weeks at Miss Florida, a state preliminary to Miss America! My sister, Casey, also won the teen title that night so she will be competing at Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen. I am so excited we get to share this memorable experience together!

Casey and me before our interviews

I started in the Miss America Organization's teen program, MAOTEEN, at the age of 17 and ever since then I have continued to compete within this incredible Organization. In 2011 I won the title of Miss South Florida's Outstanding Teen and went on to compete at Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen. Last year I won the title of Miss Daytona Beach and competed at Miss Florida for the very first time. My experiences with this organization are the reason why I continue to compete. Although I was one of the youngest girls, I felt I did extremely well and I even brought home a preliminary swimsuit award which was for sure the highlight of my summer! With the 2013 Miss Florida Pageant only 2 weeks away it is officially crunch time....literally!

Miss Florida last year with one of my favorites, Kristina Janolo, Miss Florida 2011

Performing my talent last year on the Miss Florida stage

After my name was called for winning Preliminary Swimsuit at Miss Florida last year (I was pretty excited if you couldn't already tell) with Laura Mckeeman, who was later that week crowned Miss Florida 2012, and Kristina Janolo, Miss Florida 2011

April 

In April I had the opportunity to attend Coach Gene Stalling's and the Rise School's Annual Golf Tournament with some of my Crimsonette teammates along with Crimson Cabaret Dance Team members. The purpose of the Rise Program is to provide exemplary services based on recommended practices to young children with diverse abilities and their families. I have been involved with Best Buddies, United Cerebral Palsy, the Ann Storck Center, and Lighthouse for the Blind, so when I found out about the event I could not wait to volunteer my time for such a great cause. 

To find out more info visit: 

http://riseschool.ua.edu/index.php?

option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=1&Itemid=50

Volunteering at Coach Gene Stalling's Annual Golf Tournament

Later that month, April 27th to be exact, tryouts for the 2013-2014 Crimsonettes took place at Foster Auditorium. I am proud to say that I will be returning for a second year representing the University of Alabama on one of the most prestigious twirling lines in the country. I cannot wait to be a part of the Crimson Tide's journey to the 16th National Championship. RTR!

A week later, it was time to pack my things and return home to South Florida. I can't believe  my freshman year at the University of Alabama has come to an end. So much has happened this year, and I am so very blessed for all of these amazing opportunities I was given. I cannot put into words how unreal this year was. Not many can say they had the chance to perform at the BCS National Championship ( where Vince Vaughn was 5 feet away from 

me and even said hi). My freshman year was truly incredible.

May

Just a few days after I returned home, I traded in my sparkly Miss Fort Lauderdale crown for some sneakers and participated in the Fort Lauderdale 5k Color Run. The Color Run benefitted the Riverwalk of Fort Lauderdale Charity.

Casey and me showing off our muscles after we finished the run

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)organization responsible for the programming, beautification and promotion of Riverwalk Park. We are composed primarily of volunteer private citizens and overseen by a board of directors. All members uphold the organization’s directive, as stated in its mission statement, “to be the catalyst in building and nurturing Riverwalk as a vibrant community connected by the New River.” We pursue our mission through a wide range of fundraising and membership events and advocacy on behalf of the Park through our informative website and GoRiverwalk magazine.

Later that month, I met with Commissioner Ritter of Broward County's Chief of Staff to discuss volunteer opportunities and initiatives in Broward County. I also discussed my personal platform, "The Footprint Campaign- Inspiring Volunteerism". 

Hey everyone! Go check out my sister's blog caseyengleson.blogspot.com

My first post!

WOW! This year has been absolutely incredible. As a little girl it was always a dream of mine to twirl in college, but I never knew where exactly I wanted to twirl. Being that I have lived in Florida all my life, I didn't know whether I wanted to stay in state or attend a school out of state.  I could not have made a better decision than to attend the University of Alabama, and becoming a University of Alabama Crimsonette last April was an absolute dream come true. I really wanted to make the most of my experience as a University of Alabama Crimsonette this year and I did so by making sure I gave back to the community.

 I have become involved with several different organizations this year and was able to make several different appearances as a Crimsonette. In January, I attended the University of Alabama Best Buddies National Championship Celebration, and invited my friend, Morgan, who is also a Crimsonette to attend. Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Morgan and I wore our costumes to take pictures with the buddies, signed posters, and even taught a few baton twirling moves. One of my good friends that I met at the event, Ryan, invited me to attend his Special Olympics Basketball game. He was such a great basketball player! When I attended the next Best Buddies event, several of them told me they still had the posters we gave them hanging up in their rooms. I am so thankful for the friendships I was able to make through this organization. It was so awesome to celebrate the Crimson Tide's 15th National Championship with my awesome new friends. Can't wait to celebrate 16 National Championships with them next year!

In February, I had the opportunity to visit Children's of Alabama Hospital with the Austin Shepherd Foundation. The Austin Shepherd Foundation makes monthly visits to Children's of Alabama Hospital with football players who are interested in supporting the foundation to visit with sick children and their families. They hand out goodie bags that are provided by the foundation, sign autographs, and take pictures with the patients and the patient's families. I visited the Hospital with my friend, and Crimsonette teammate, Abbey, as well as Vinnie Sunseri, Phillip Ely, and Ryan Kelley, who are Crimson Tide football players. This was such an incredible experience, and I can't wait to make more visits with this amazing foundation. In March, my teammate, and friend, Haley, and I were asked to perform our Miss Florida and Miss Michigan talent routines at the University of Alabama's Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon raises funds for Children's Miracle Network, and Children's of Alabama, a CMN hospital. It was wonderful to be able to take part in such a wonderful event and raise money for a great cause. What is so special about CMN hospitals is that Children's Miracle Network is the Miss America Organization's national platform. Being that I am involved with the organization (as Miss Fort Lauderdale 2013) it was great to be able to participate in this event to help raise funds for CMN.

Teaching my Best Buddies some twirling moves :)

Cheering on my awesome friend Ryan at the Tuscaloosa Special Olympics Basketball Game! Go #42!

Crimsonette Morgan Moore, and I love our best buddies!

Dancing the night away with sweet Wilson at our Best Buddies National Championship Party.

Visiting with the patients of Children's Alabama Hospital with the Shep Foundation. From left to right- Crimsonette Abbey Minor, and University of Alabama football players: Phillip Ely, Ryan Kelly, Vinnie Sunseri and Crimsonette Katie Engleson (me)

Perforimg at University of Alabama's Dance Marathon with Crimsonette Haley Williams to benefit Chidlren's Miracle Network Hospitals.