Martin Luther King Jr. said “Somewhere along the way we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something for others.” Mary Therese Friel, who was Miss USA 1979, and her husband Kent, live life by embedding into everything they do to do something for others. The Mary Therese Friel Modeling Agency has Goodwill Ambassador models, they produce runway shows, design clothes and have models participate in fashion shows that support charities, along with many other wonderful deeds of good in between. This dynamic duo are fierce in their commitment to help as many people as they can. I had the honor to interview Mary Therese and Kent for this spotlight story.
“Kindness is the best form of humanity.” Doris Lee
Since the beginning of the Mary Therese Modeling Agency thirty-five years ago, integrity and kindness, along with encouraging the models to be the best they can be, is a foundation of their work and what they do. Models are selected to become “Goodwill Ambassadors” because they are “young people who want to make a difference in their communities and the world by volunteering their time, energy and talents to help others. They proudly wear the sash they win, as a symbol of their confidence, compassion and leadership abilities.” MTF Modeling sessions are focused on preparing models for tv, movies, print, and runway shows. These sessions also include instruction on decision making, leadership, self development, self esteem, and encouraging participants on taking action in their community to make a difference by helping others. When Mary Therese won Miss USA in 1979 she took to heart the good she could do as the winner of this competition in her life.
“Service to others is the rent we pay for our room in the hereafter.” Mohammad Ali
Mary Therese and Kent are big hearted people who care about people and animals. They are always looking for ways to help and support others in need. For the past seventeen years they have held “Comfort Campaigns” where they support Foodlink, Pittsford Food Cupboard for Animals, The Pirate Toy Fund, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army and the Red Cross. Every July and December they send Christmas cards to Veterans. They support four animal charities which are Lollypop Farms, Crackerbox Palace, Pittsford Food Cupboard for Animals, and the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program. The Center for Youth in Rochester, New York gets their support by Mary Therese designing clothes and the modeling agency supplying models for the Center’s fundraising fashion week. They have partnered with the Salvation Army for the Red Kettle campaign and the Red Cross for disaster relief and rescue.
“A person’s most useful asset is not a head full of knowledge, but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen, and a hand willing to help others.” Unknown
In addition to all of these other charitable initiatives Mary Therese and Kent are going to be opening an online store called “Our Vintage Shop” filled with vintage clothing and accessories that Mary Therese has collected since she was six years old and has worn over the years. The majority of the profits will be donated to charity. Mary Therese stated how they don’t take vacations as helping out, and helping others, brings them much joy and happiness. Kent echoed the same feeling. As agents of models they connect them with clients that will use the models in advertisements where respect is paramount. They parlay all they do into doing for others in some way, shape, or form. They are in the process of making a COVID documentary that will highlight people helping others along with other COVID information. Mary Therese wants to gather cloth masks and make a quilt. If I know Mary Therese and Kent, whatever they choose to do with this quilt will benefit others. As they help others they are connecting people, strengthening communities, and inspiring people to do all the good whenever and wherever they can. On their weekly radio show at WAYO 104.3 FM, a non-profit radio station, they often invite guests onto the show who are taking actions to help others and to spread kindness. These givers of kindness are also all about shining light on the other helpers too.
It is with honor and admiration we shine the Kindness Champion Spotlight on Mary Therese and Kent Friel who do all the good in whatever ways they can whenever they can. Kindness is “love in action” which describes Mary Therese and Kent perfectly. Their actions of kindness for people and for animals reflects their love and care for others. We thank Mary Therese and Kent Friel for being you and bringing your awesome to the world.
For more information on the MTF Modeling Agency and all the good they are doing here is their website: http://www.mtfmodels.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MTFMODELS/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtfmodels/?hl=en
