By Allison Perrine
The YMCA provides critical programs and resources to many across the globe, and Rumson resident Ann Pennington testified to its importance to a room of over 100 Bahamian children last week.
Pennington, who was crowned this year’s United States of America’s (USOA) Mrs., visited the Caribbean country to speak with 150 children about programs, volunteerism and opportunities available through the YMCA. Her trip follows her visits to other areas such as Florida and Nevada with a goal of helping children in need.
“I’m doing as much as I can to make a difference in children’s lives,” said Pennington.
Timing for the trip was perfect as travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic had just lifted and Pennington knew that her support would be appreciated. The country was devastated by two hurricanes shortly before the pandemic and the financial burdens brought on by COVID-19 made matters worse.
“These kids had nothing during COVID but also their whole country was destroyed by two hurricanes back-to-back,” she said. After her time highlighting the Y’s programs, she and the children took to the water to practice swimming. Pennington learned to swim at the YMCA in Red Bank and went on to become a synchronized swimmer. She told the children that they could do the same; after all, one Bahamian resident who swam at the YMCA recently qualified and performed in the Tokyo Olympics this summer.
“Even though you’re separated worlds apart in poverty-stricken areas,” she said, “great things can come out of the Y.”
Representing USOA and the YMCA, Pennington donated coloring books and candy to the children, and also played basketball with them. She pledged to donate $1 for every basket they made – and they scored many, she joked.
“When you donate to the Y, they distribute it where it’s needed,” said Pennington. “It’s really great how it works.”
And it doesn’t end there. Pennington has been traveling to states in the U.S. to help individuals in other communities, like in Las Vegas and in areas of Florida. She’s long had a goal of helping the less fortunate, especially those experiencing homelessness and youth trafficking. For over a decade, she has been fundraising to support those individuals as a sitting member of Covenant House’s leadership board. She also participates in the organization’s annual Sleep Out event each year and, as the leadership chair, raises thousands of dollars for youth experiencing homelessness.
She is also a board trustee member of HABcore, which provides housing and support for those in need, including veterans, families with children, special needs individuals and others experiencing hardships, according to its website.
Shortly after she was crowned the USOA Mrs. 2021 in February, Pennington told The Two River Times that she got involved in pageantry after a chance meeting with someone who told her she would be great at it. At first, she was not interested but was persuaded to look into it. She was surprised by what she found, she said, “smart, motivated, married women who are successful in their own rights raising awareness and tens of thousands of dollars for causes all over the country.”
And at the same time, she thought it would be fun to get dressed up, socialize with interesting individuals and engage in friendly “although intense” competitions, said Pennington. “I guess I just never got the oppor tunity to take up golf.”
“It is not lost on me that there could be some pre-conceived notions around pageantry and that is completely fine. For me, I have met some amazing people from all walks of life, been supported by some wonderful companies, raised large sums of money for charities doing awesome work for worthwhile causes and enjoyed experiences I simply would not have been able to have done without pageantry,” she said.
Anyone looking to join in and support Pennington’s fundraising efforts can visit unitedstatesofamericapageants.com or the Instagram page @unitedstatesofamericasmrs.
This article originally appeared in the Aug. 5-11, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
