Reality TV Stars Outwit, Outplay and Outlast To Raise Funds For Youth

photos c/o Justin Yoder


The 2nd Annual “It’s A Jungle Out There” benefit kicked off with the Warriors Games, a NEW family-friendly event which was held on the grounds of the Embassy Suites Love Field Hotel. Despite a soggy start to the day, participates were fired up to compete and attendees were able to watch teams comprised of former players from Survivor, The Amazing Race and Big Brother and young adults from Cheer 4 Your Life’s teen Warrior program compete in challenges similar to those seen on the hit CBS show, Survivor. The teams were hit with twists and turns as the games progressed. In true Survivor tradition, the final challenge to determine who would be crowned the Sole Survivor was a fire-making challenge. Congrats to Baylor Wilson from Survivor, Season 29 for using a flint and creating a fire big enough to burn through the twine to raise her flag, making her victorious!! Proceeds from this event raised funds for Cheer 4 Your Life, a non profit organization 501(C)3 that helps empower youth by providing supportive funding as needed for individual participation in various clubs and school programs including but not limited to athletic programs, performance based programs and service projects. “The most touching part of the Cheer 4 Your Life journey (for me) so far has been the Warriors project, which is a leadership program for teens encompassing community outreach and personal growth while raising money through healthy competition in monthly challenges,” said Missy Payne. “To see these kids meet today – the Teen Warriors who have raised money all year to help teens they didn’t even know pursue their dreams – it’s just so rewarding!” That evening, Event Co-Chairs Leslie Madden and Laura Powell gathered with supporters at the Frontiers of Flight Museum for an adult only benefit, which included a concert, dinner, silent and live auction. Guests began the evening with dinner and live entertainment from talented teens from area Performing Arts High Schools, Competitive Club Cheerleading and Dance programs, and Acrobatic troupes illustrating what Cheer 4 Your Life is all about – helping teens pursue their passions and talents. The evening culminated with a rousing performance from rising Country music star, Hudson Moore.

“It’s A Jungle Out There” Benefit Will Give Fans a Chance to Meet andCompete Alongside Former Survivor Players and Reality Stars

Readers of this blog know that I am a HUGE fan of reality and competition TV shows. My family has watched every season of Survivor so I am thrilled to see Highland Park native Missy Payne, star of Survivor: San Juan del Sur, Season 29, create the inaugural “It’s A Jungle Out There” benefit that will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2015 from 7pm to 10pm at Lofty Spaces. If you are a fan of the hit TV show Survivor, here’s your chance to not only mix and mingle with former Survivor-stars but compete alongside them to test your endurance and puzzle IQ. Guests will begin the evening with dinner and live entertainment from rising Nashville star, Baylor Wilson, who also happens to be Missy’s daughter and fellow Survivor contestant. Other performers will include talented teens from area Performing Arts High Schools, Competitive Club Cheerleading and Dance programs, and Acrobatic troupes. Among the items that will up for grabs during the live auction will be tickets to attend the live finale in Los Angeles where the next winner of Survivor, Season 31 will be named. Following the dinner and main stage entertainment, the party will move outside where Survivor celebrities will compete in challenges (similar to the challenges seen on the show) while party patrons place bets on teams to win. Guests will have a chance to buy into these challenges and compete alongside the celebrities to see who can become the Ultimate Survivor.