The Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal has named Bryanna Williams as March’s Citizen of the Month, a program sponsored by Dorsey Funeral Home in Shinnston – locally owned & operated.
By TRINA RUNNER
News & Journal Staff Writer
Although she has held several pageant titles, including Mrs. West Virginia International, Bryanna Williams is so much more than just a pretty face. Her dedication to serving others has made such an indelible mark on North Central West Virginia that it earned her the coveted Tracy Hatfield Spirit Award at this year’s Mrs. West Virginia pageant.
Among all the contestants, the dresses, the interviews, Williams won the award for her consistently hard work throughout the year that has impacted others. The Tracy Hatfield Spirit Award validated that her efforts have not gone unnoticed and that she has inspired other people to find ways to serve as well.
A former Harrison County teacher, Williams is now a special education teacher at Academy Programs in Fairmont. Her work there has motivated her to work with Comfort Cases, a non-profit that provides duffle bags or backpacks to children in foster care. Each bag is then filled with essentials and comfort items to help the children transition to new homes.
Last October, Williams delivered over 1500 items to Comfort Case’s national office, along with a sizeable donation. She then delivered 150 fully-filled Comfort Cases to agencies in West Virginia, impacting the lives of children in her home state. The experience showed her how one person can make a difference.
Throughout her pageant history, Williams’ platform has been Ronald McDonald Charities, a non-profit organization serving families with children in hospitals. For three years, she has worked with families staying at the Morgantown Ronald McDonald House, helping to cook and serve meals, coordinating activities, reading to the children, and collecting donated items.
Because so many families in the house want to get to the hospital quickly, Williams was among those who worked with the Meals from the Heart program, which provided over 400 Grab and Go breakfast bags for these families.
Her family and friends have been instrumental in helping with her charitable efforts and continue to inspire her to serve. She is currently working with her Young Professionals Group to host a fundraiser for yet another deserving charity. Williams’ heart is bigger than any crown could be and her generosity of time and resources shows people everywhere that we all have the capacity to help each other.
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