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"A Memorial Day"

Cleveland Queen for a day hosted a pizza dinner on Memorial Day at the Ronald McDonald House. Even though it was a 3 day holiday weekend all 37 rooms in the house were full.

As I walked in I noticed a tiny girl with her father watching us carrying our pink trunks of goodies down the hall. I stopped to talk to her and invite her to come and get her nails painted, makeup applied and get her very own tiara. As she smiled and said "now" ? I tearfully turned to my friend and said "I can't do her. I can't handle this one.

She was severely deformed and it broke my heart.

I gained my composure and as I got the pizza, salads and dessert ready, and to my surprise and delight every time I turned around that sweet little girl would purse her lips and point to her nails as if to say I'm waiting! Of course she was going to be the first Queen of the Day! She was so excited to look in the mirror as I put her makeup on but she was not happy. She wanted more put on and darker colors so she could see it better. She was born with only one eye. My spirits were so high watching her smile and nod her head approvingly as she smiled at herself in the mirror. She also wanted flowers and rhinestones on all 12 of her nails. She was a little angel. She sure taught me a lesson. She was not a bit shy or insecure.

That night we crowned 7 girls and 5 boys.

We love to go and take dinner for all the families staying there. They kept thanking us over and over.

What a wonderful place. We can't wait until our next event.

The Cleveland Ohio Chapter of Queen for a Day held an event to cherish on Valentines Day Feb 14 2008 at the Ronald McDonald House from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m..

We began our Valentines Day themed party with a catered dinner from Sterks catering in Vermilion. There were plenty of beautiful cupcakes provided by our volunteers and finished off with red jello and whipped cream.

Our evening began with "3 Kings" -not a little girl in sight! We treated the boys to a manicure, an arm massage and a "fake shave" The boys so much loved to look into the "magic mirror". One of the boys father almost had me talked into giving it to him, the boy loved the mirror so much! Next time! I will take an extra mirror - I aim to please and want to treat my Kings like gold! As a matter of fact as I am writing this, I am going to ship him a mirror tomorrow!

The boys loved the peppermint lip smackers and were quite proud of their crowns. One little boy went to his room and came back with a kings robe and paraded for us the rest of the night.

Then along came a little girl age 1 1/2. At first she was afraid to let me have her hand in fear of a needle. Then she realized after I showed her my temporary tattoo on my arm that it was OK and she was delighted to have a butterfly placed on her hand. A week later every time I look at the tattoo on my arm I think of her and wonder if she still looks at hers and remembers the night.

We had a little boy who wanted nothing to do with us or a crown. He had recently underwent brain surgery. His parents assured us it would be OK to place a crown on his head . After 2 hours of patience by one of my volunteers and watching his mommy get a manicure he hopped up on the throne and wanted his medallion placed around his neck and his crown. I was so proud of my volunteer Carol who talked to him until he was laughing and smiling!

Towards the end of the evening, I saw a teenage girl come in. She told me she was very sick and not feeling well but her grandmother had convinced her to come down. She was a young lady who knew what she wanted- a manicure from me! She wanted flowers and rhinestones on her nails and we had a wonderful conversation.

She then asked me if I would give her mother a manicure. Her mother had never had one. I told her I would love to do that for her. Her mother interpreted through her daughter that she felt like royalty, and she was honored.

I just loved to observe how each volunteer- Heather a client of mine, Sharon a friend, my daughter Christa, my best friend Carol, Bev a co-worker and her son Max a college student and Carol a co-worker all brought something really special to share in this event.

We crowned 4 boys King and 4 girls Queen and gave 2 mothers a manicure and 1 grandmother a haircut.

Happy Valentines Day! Marla Hayes Director Queen for a Day Cleveland

The Cleveland Ohio Chapter of "Queen for a Day" held its first event on Monday Jan 7 at the Ronald McDonald House from 6:00 to 8:30.

Marla Hayes "Beauties of America" Ohio's 40's 2008 from Vermilion, Christa Cox from Parma representing "Great Clips" and Sharon Ritchie from Strongsville hosted this incredible and heartwarming event. There were 4 boys and 7 girls from age 1 to 12 in attendance.

All of the children were treated to a hair styling service including a trim or cut, braids and colored hair gel , and a manicure with a hand and arm massage and yes! A couple of the boys wanted polish and gems also!

Next the children were invited to look into the "magic looking glass". The girls had eye shadow, blush and lipstick applied. The boys were amazed and thrilled with a "fake" shave and root beer or 7-up lip smacker's applied.

Next they got to have their choice of temporary tattoos. There were so many too choose from, some of the children had several!

Then the children got a tootsie-pop sucker out of a beautiful pink butterfly box.

The beautiful queens were wrapped in a real pink marabou boa and crowned with their choice of tiara. One of the little girls chose a crown! To the surprise of us all, given the choice of a cowboy hat , Crown or pirate hat, all of the handsome boys chose a crown! So from now on-only Crowns for our Kings!

We addressed our Queens and Kings by their proper name of "King (boys name)" or "Queen (girls name)" They loved it!

Finally one at a time, the children were seated in a "Hand Shaped Chair Thrown" with Red Fingernails! We gathered around them and acclaimed them "Queen" or "King". We told them how special, brave and loved they are. They were so excited they could hardly wait until their picture popped out of the camera and we all watched and waited while it developed!

Any parent who wanted one, was invited to have a quick trim or cut after all the children were attended to.

As the director, I was looking at this as fun. But when I walked in the door I had the full impact and realization of just how much this means to the children and their parents. One of the little girls mother came to me and said "When my daughter woke up this morning the first thing she said was Mommy, Today I am a Queen". She patiently waited all day! I got Goosebumps! I was so honored and proud to be a part of this organization. I was amazed at the grace, happiness and positive attitude of these beautiful young courageous, brave and confident children.

We are very much looking forward to our next event scheduled and themed for Valentines Day. February 14 2008. We will be hosting a catered dinner for the 37 families that night who call the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House from all over the world their temporary home!

Marla Hayes Director-Cleveland Ohio.