Miss America 2018 Cara Mund promoted her favourite cause, Make-A-Wish, on Saturday at the Denim and Diamonds Gala in Jamestown. Cara is not only the first Miss America from North Dakota but also the first one to promote Make-A-Wish as her platform.

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Miss America 2018 Cara Mund has been busy fulfilling her official duties since her crowning. On Saturday, she became a part of the Denim and Diamonds Gala to promote Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Denim and Diamonds raises money for JakeStar, an organization that funds safety training for youth on all-terrain vehicles and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Dakota. Make-A-Wish grants wishes such as trips to Disney World to children facing critical illness and their families. It is funded through fundraising and volunteer efforts.

Cara learned about Make-A-Wish Foundation when she was just 14 years old as two of her friends were battling cancer.

At such a ripe age, she organized her first Make-A-Wish Fashion show in her hometown of Bismark. On her huge achievement, she said, “That event has run now for 10 years and raised almost $80,000 which has granted 23 wishes.”

During the Gala, Cara met Ryder Schlafman-Hieb, an 8-year-old Jamestown girl who flew to Disney World as her last wish in February with the foundation.

Cara pointed out, “It is always an honour to be back in North Dakota. I had opportunities to compete in pageants in other states, but I wanted to represent North Dakota. I consider it a victory to have been asked a question about Make-A-Wish on stage during the Miss America finals. I thought I probably wouldn’t win but I could talk about Make-A-Wish on stage.”

Laura Shockman, the organiser of the event, remarked, “Having Miss America here is a big plus especially because she is from North Dakota. It all came together because of Mund’s support for Make-A-Wish. We actually contacted her because of her platform, what a great opportunity.”