Kim Roeddle loves to organize events.

"It is a strength I have," she commented as she sat in a local coffee shop. "I like to think outside of the box."

A veteran journalist and committed military wife, Roeddle is the driving force behind the area's first ever Liberty Natural Beauty Pageant.

"This event is my way of looking for the different in order to make a difference," said Roeddle.

While the pageant will put a spotlight on the beauty and talent of local residents, it is also a charity event that will raise funds.  The money will be donated to the Fort Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army to assemble welcome home care packages for redeploying soldiers.

"It has been a hard deployment," said Roeddle.  "So many left, and we lost some; this is an effort to bring back a degree of normalcy."

Roeddle went on to say that she wants to honor the work that Denise Dhane has consistently done over the years for area service members.

"I want to help her and the work she does in supporting our troops."

The pageant will be held at Pioneer Middle School in DuPont July 1 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Everyone - from babies to seniors - is invited to participate.

The cost to enter is $65.  Military families are eligible for a $10 discount, and all participants who collect items needed for the charity are eligible for a $10 discount. Families who enter more than one child will receive a $5 discount for the second child.

"Shaving cream, soap, shampoo - things like this is what we want to be able to give the troops," added Roeddle.

The pageant is open to girls/women of all ages and boys up to age 8. Everyone who enters will receive a prize. All winners will be invited to participate in DuPont's Fourth of July parade.

Pageant judges will include Matt Wilson (Harry from PBS' "Cyberchase") and Stephanie Sine, a professional choreographer and dancer.

An information meeting about the pageant will be held at the Rubber Room in DuPont on June 7 at 6:30 p.m.  The registration deadline is June 16. For more information about the pageant or to receive an entry form, please post an e-mail to libertynbp@yahoo.com.