Young pageant queen ‘adopts’ officers
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
A young pageant queen from the Mon Valley “adopted” two Washington Township police officers last week.
Giovannah “Gigi” Seroka doesn’t let her crown go to her head. The 8-year-old started participating in pageants and winning titles at age 5.
According to her mom and dad, Gina and Brett Seroka, Giovannah has used her titles as a platform to make an impact in her community.
When she isn’t letting her glamour shine on the pageant stage, the Washington Township youngster — with help from her parents, grandparents Laurie and Ernie Colelli and other family members — operates the Giovannah’s Caring Crown nonprofit group.
In the past three years, Giovannah has done a lot for Mon Valley neighbors.
With help from Washington Township firefighters, Giovannah hosted a blood drive last year. She said donors provided enough blood to save 60 lives.
She has also raised money for cancer initiatives, worked with Bikers Helping Others to raise money for victims of hurricanes in Puerto Rico, worked with the Mon Valley Jeepers to collect presents for Toys for Tots, volunteered at local food banks, provided face masks to local first responders in an attempt to keep them safe from the coronavirus, delivered holiday meals to those in need, served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army’s holiday campaign and more.
Last week, the Marion Elementary School third-grader “adopted” Officer Chris Moody and Lt. Tim Lemley by presenting them with care packages filled with snacks, hand sanitizer, new socks and more.
Also included in the care packages were small statues of Baby Yoda, a character from the Disney+ “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.” Giovannah said she wants the officers to “ride with the force” when they are patrolling Washington Township.
“I wanted to help the police because I thought they needed some help,” Giovannah said.
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