By JACKIE HANUSEY
Staff Writer

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The Farmington Volunteer Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary was looking for a unique fundraiser when members decided on holding a Womanless Beauty Pageant.
The fire hall was abuzz Saturday, March 24, the wacky and crazy evening.
Chrissy Nelson, vice president of the auxiliary, found the fund-raising idea online and thought it would be a fun venture.
This first time around they were able to convince seven men to compete for the title of Miss Public Safety.
“I don’t know what to expect,” said pageant judge and NBC40 news anchor Michelle Dawn Mooney said prior to the pageant.
The contestants themselves weren’t too sure either as they had the last layers of lipstick applied and practiced walking in heals.
Marc Raymond said he wears a size 15 shoe and couldn’t find any heals that size so he had to squeeze into a 13.
He said he went to stores by himself looking for his wardrobe.
“Some people understood; some laughed and walked away,” he said.
Tim Housand had a management team of 40 people cheering him on.
“I couldn’t have done it without them,” he said while he did his final preparations.
Khristina Ramsi of Northfield, part of his team, said she helped him learn to walk and accessorize. She even went shopping with him.
Mark Reidy wore his daughter’s color guard uniform as Markita Roberts.
He said his daughter was proud of him and she was right in front cheering him on all the way.
Some other contestants said they found clothing from friends and thrift stores.
When it was time to take the stage the seven contestants had loud cheering sections.
Auxiliary President Debbie Corbin said her organization is definitely interested in having the pageant again next year, but they hope to find a bigger venue with a built-in stage to accommodate the crowd.
In the end Tim Housand as Frieda Yum-Yum was crowned the winner with Mark Reidy as Markita Roberts and Tony Ang as Tiffani Rose as the first and second runners-up respectively.
Wendy Housand, the president of the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary, was the proud mom of the winner.
“I always wanted a girl, although not quite this way,” she said.
She wasn’t too surprised though saying he is always a guy who will help out a good cause.
“He is so sociable and crazy this is right up his alley,” she said.
Pageant Judge Heather Stumpf, a police detective in the township, said now that this year’s contestants have broken the ice, more will be interested in competing next year.
“These are men who wouldn’t normally do this type of stuff,” she said hoping more will join next time.
Money raised form the contestant entry fees will benefit the Burn Foundation and proceeds from the pageant will support the ladies’ auxiliary.
To comment on this story e-mail Jackie.Hanusey@catamaranmedia.com.

PHOTOS BY JACKIE HANUSEY