Queen contestants Cheyenne Sears and her little miss spat Scarlett Ebinger have been working on a community service project centered around the Knott Alone Hold Fast organization. This organization specializes in providing aid to veterans and first responders regarding mental health needs. Knott Alone provides water-focused programs such as commercial fishing, crabbing, and oystering to those individuals that they help. With the assistance of mental health professionals, these programs provide an opportunity for veterans and first responders to open up and connect with our waterways as well as each other. Hold Fast also provides workforce development training to those individuals that may be returning to civil service after their military career ends. The main objective is to give first responders and veterans the support that they need to become healthy, independent, and stable forces in society, training them in workforce skills and providing any support that they may need.
This organization was started by two veterans, Dan and Nick, who suffered the loss of friends and fellow servicemen due to mental health issues. Over the past three years, they took a dream and turned it into reality. Currently, they are working to develop more than 140 acres of land in Gloucester County to provide in-patient and out-patient services to those in need. This facility provides a private and calming location for any therapies the individuals may need. In addition, they do community outreach. Each Monday, they host a community dinner where they provide free meals, many times servicing upwards of 50 people.
The veterans and first responders that Hold Fast work with do not pay anything for the services. They are able to come and stay at the facility, receive treatment, learn new skills and participate in the water-focused training without having to worry about cost. The patients are able to concentrate on their own health.
Cheyenne chose this organization because she has a personal connection with the cause.
When she was in middle school, she lost a very close family friend, School Resource Officer Melinda Hart to suicide. Cheyenne thinks that an organization like Hold Fast could have maybe saved her life. In addition, Cheyenne is a part of a gold star family after losing her uncle, Colonel Thomas Felts Sr. in Iraq. Although she never got to know him, she knows the importance of the military and understands how the soldiers’ service can affect their entire family. She thinks that they deserve all the support they can get. She plans to raise awareness for this organization so that it can continue its mission to help those in need.
Cheyenne Sears is the daughter of Curtis and Shannon Sears, granddaughter of Bobby Sears, and Tim and Gail Spencer. She has two little brothers. She lives in Hartfield and goes to Christchurch School. She enjoys traveling, competitive swimming, art and getting together with friends and family. After graduating, the Christchurch School student plans to attend college for interior design.
Scarlett Ebinger, is the daughter of Elizabeth Ebinger and Bryant Gresham, granddaughter of Leslie Pitts and David Ebinger. She enjoys drawing, playing with friends, and being with her family. When she grows up she wants to be a performer and she wants to dance and sing.
