Crown for a Cause, Ms. Pennsylvania America 2014 Crowned, Raising Awareness for ALS

Sharon, PA, June 09, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Malinda Koncar has recently been awarded the Ms. Pennsylvania America 2014 title by the Ms. America® Pageant. The Mission of the pageant is to celebrate the accomplishments of women, encourage women to be involved in community service, as well as use the “Crown for a Purpose” to make a difference. The Ms. America® pageant is open to women 26 years of age and up, who are single, divorced or married. The selection process for receiving a title was done by submitting an application, photo and followed up by an interview over the phone. Titleholders from across the United States will compete in Interview, Sports Wear, Evening Gown and On-Stage Interview.

"We are truly excited to have Malinda back for a second year. The amount of charity events and funds she was able to raise last year was incredible. We know she will not disappoint this year!" --Susan Jeske, Ms. America Pageant CEO

Malinda competed last year in the Ms. America 2013 pageant placing 2nd Runner Up and Ms. International 2013 placing 4th Runner Up. She also received additional awards for her philanthropic efforts in raising funds and awareness for ALS. She will return to California in August where she hopes to win the title of Ms. America 2014 after missing the title last year by just 3 points.

Ms. Pennsylvania America 2014 is excited to continue to use her title to raise awareness for ALS and hopes to reach her goal of raising $100,000 for the ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter "Youngstown Walk to Defeat ALS."

"I lost my father, Raymond Witkowski, in March of last year to ALS. Shortly after I had the choice of being bitter, or making things better. I chose to make things better for other individuals affected by ALS. The Ms. America pageant has given me incredible opportunities. I achieved a lot last year and have big things planned for this year, including a Guinness Book of World Records Attempt. The entire community will participate and funds raised will benefit The ALS Association. Opportunities like this are once in a life time and here I am for a second chance!" --Malinda Koncar, Ms. Pennsylvania America 2014

Ms. Pennsylvania America has partnered with Anytime Fitness and West Middlesex School District for "Anytime Fitness Sits Up for ALS - A Guinness Book of World Record Attempt." They will attempt the record of "Most People Simultaneously Performing Sit Ups." She is encouraging all school teams, local boy and girl scouts as well as church groups to participate. The event is just one week after she competes for Ms. America and she hopes to attend as "Ms. America 2014."

Although she represents Pennsylvania Malinda works closely with both the Western PA and the Northern Ohio ALS Associations. She is hoping the Ms. America Title will enable her to reach a broader demographic.