Reina P. Cunningham
Staff Writer
Former Miss America Heather French Henry is excited at the opportunity to be a part of this year’s Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival (KMLF).
“This is a perfect opportunity for me,” said Henry.
The KMLF has asked Henry to participate in the event for the past several years, but timing has always been an issue.
Henry is the executive director of the Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc. — a foundation with a goal to provide significant financial and educational support to community based providers who offer services and support in the areas of homelessness, health care and housing.
As a veterans advocate, Memorial Day weekend is normally a very hectic time for Henry. This year will be no exception as Henry will be an active participant in the KMLF.
Some of her duties include grand marshal of the parade, master of ceremonies and partner with Children’s Reading Foundation of Appalachia Kentucky (CRF).
Henry’s journey to the KMLF started in March when she reached out to the CRF.
Henry made contact with the foundation to see how she could partner with them in her effort to continue educating school aged children about patriotism.
According to Co-Director of Summer Read Up and Literacy Volunteer with the Reading Foundation Debbie Knuckles, the CRF is thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Henry.
“We are excited to welcome her as one of our partners and supporters and look forward to being able to share the beauty of her words,” said Knuckles. “It will be our privilege to work with her in any way that we can to see that the children in our area receive one of the books that she has written saluting veterans or America.”
Henry will be set up with CRF at the Bell Theater in Pineville on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 9:45 a.m to be a kick off reader for “Read Up: Stop the Summer Slide.”
In addition to reading, Henry will be giving out over 100 copies of the children books she has written about veterans.
“Our last count was appropriately 167,” recalled Henry.
Reach Reina P. Cunningham at 606-248-1010, ext. 205, rpcunningham@civitasmedia.com.
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