METUCHEN – During the holiday seasons, Caitlyn Toth helped her dad, Ryan, collect toys for other children in need for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys 4 Tots program.
And that is what Caitlyn’s platform – giving back to children less fortunate – has been for the many beauty pageants she has entered since she was three years old.
On June 2, Caitlyn, who will enter the second grade at Campbell Elementary School in the fall, was crowned Miss New Jersey Grand Ambassador at the East Coast USA Pageant and is capitalizing on her new title role in an effort to help families throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
On July 20, the youngster braved the sweltering heat to set up a lemonade stand at the Metuchen Farmers Market to raise money for New Brunswick-based Women Aware, an organization providing services to survivors – both women and children – of domestic violence.
“There are moms and kids who don’t have a lot,” Caitlyn said. “And I’m doing this lemonade stand to raise money and help them so they can get things they need.”
Dori Toth, Caitlyn’s mom, said this is the second lemonade stand Caitlyn has held. She said the community of Metuchen has been supportive in her daughter’s efforts.
She explained the Metuchen Farmers Market reached out to them through Metuchen Gives Back, a community group created to provide a variety of hands-on volunteering opportunities for local families and individuals.
All proceeds will be going towards the purchase of gift cards for the women and children of Women Aware.
Caitlyn will remain Miss New Jersey Grand Ambassador for a year and will continue in her efforts of giving back to those less fortunate.
She also continues to participate in pageants including the East Coast USA National Finals Pageant, which was held from July 26-28 at the Hilton Parsippany.
