Charitable Partners of MISS USA® Demonstrate Their Support

NEW YORK, July 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Miss USA is not just about the annual Pageant and its showcase of gowns, swimsuits and interviews.  It's a 365-day journey of personal growth and community development, for contestants who are willing to take risks, challenge themselves and be the best they can be … and go on to help bring the best out in others.    

The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA®, and MISS TEEN USA® pageants place a priority on the importance of getting involved and giving back by providing a dedicated international platform of partnerships with charities, sponsors, and brands around the world. Miss USA's official cause is to raise awareness for breast and ovarian cancer education and prevention. During their reign, our winners are given the tools to personally and professionally enrich others by dedicating themselves to raising awareness and much needed funds for philanthropic endeavors.

Here are just a few of examples of the important causes our contestants have been working to support:

Best Buddies International has been a partner since 2004.  Best Buddies® is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"Best Buddies has been proud to partner with Miss USA and the Miss Universe Organization for over ten years, working together to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Each year, Miss USA and the Miss Universe Organization team generously give their time to help our organization and to serve as positive role models for our Best Buddies.  We cannot thank them enough for their leadership and support."  - Mark Wylie, VP

Same Sky Trade Initiative is part of the global movement lifting women out of poverty by giving them tools to become entrepreneurs and lead self-sustaining lives.

"The Same Sky Trade Initiative is exceptionally grateful to the Miss Universe Organization for their commitment to helping women worldwide and for their advocacy of "trade-not-aid" as an innovative and effective approach to alleviating poverty and helping women build sustainable futures for their families and their communities. The Miss Universe Organization has played a pivotal role in promoting Same Sky's message of empowering women through employment and we are proud to partner with them to help support and connect all women living under the SAME SKY."  - Cara Incandela, Director

Gilda's Club, NYC creates welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer.

"Since 1998, the Miss Universe Organization has provided a volunteer, the new winner of their annual Miss USA pageant, to work at Gilda's Club New York City and raise awareness of our free cancer support program for men, women, teens and children.  Each year, the newly selected Miss USA volunteers at our Clubhouse, personally thanking our donors individually over the phone, participating in social activities with our members living with cancer, and helping us raise much-needed funds to support our free program at special fundraising events.  We consider it a privilege to be one of the many non-profits for which the Miss Universe Organization devotes their volunteer efforts and look forward to meeting and working with the new Miss USA every Spring."  - Eileen F. Jackson, Associate Director

Changing Our World, Inc. is a leading global philanthropic services company. 

"For over ten years, Changing Our World, Inc. has had the honor and pleasure of working with Paula Shugart and the Miss Universe Organization, as well as its title holders, on humanitarian projects which have improved the lives of people all over the world.  The Miss Universe organization is a powerful international organization that has provided life-changing opportunities for young women for over six decades, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to make our world a better place."   - Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and Chairman

WATCH the 2015 MISS USA® Pageant Trailer, "I am a Beauty Queen."

You can see the stories about each of this year's contestants here:  http://www.missuniverse.com/missusa/you_videos/index/videoCategoryId:43

The 2015 MISS USA® Pageant will telecast LIVE on Sunday, July 12 from The Baton Rouge River Center at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on REELZ Channel.  Find REELZ in your area by visiting www.reelz.com. The pageant will also be streamed LIVE on www.missusa.com.

ABOUT MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) uses its global grassroots reach to empower women to be self-confident and strive to be their personal best. MUO believes that every woman should be "Confidently Beautiful." The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA®, and MISS TEEN USA® beauty pageants provide an international platform through dedicated partnerships with charities, sponsors, and brands around the world. During their reign, our winners are given the tools to personally and professionally enrich others by providing humanitarian efforts to affect positive change, all while developing their personal career goals. For more information, and to learn more about Miss USA's official cause to raise awareness for breast and ovarian cancer education and prevention please visit: www.missusa.com. 

Follow Miss USA:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MissUSA
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/MissUSA
• Twitter and Instagram: @MissUSA

Video - http://youtu.be/aZT_a3CKFQE

SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization

Related Links

www.missuniverse.com