Kora’s Kindness Crew

Kora Bingham is a people person. At age eight, she loves to volunteer and has a big heart for helping people. Her family has always volunteered, so it’s natural for her to jump in when she gets the chance. Bingham was recently appointed the at-large 2025 Ultimate International Miss Central States Princess, and she will compete for the first time in August at the Ultimate International Miss (UIM) pageant in Virginia Beach. She’s using her platform to bring more kindness into the world with her Kindness Crew challenges on Facebook and Instagram.

Edge: Where do you get your ideas for your Kindness Crew challenges?

Bingham: I have a big notebook and I write all these things down in that notebook. My dad helped me think of 10 things. The first challenge I did was writing letters to veterans. The second challenge was donating to foster care. I wanted to do things that would make people feel special. 

Edge: You recently volunteered at the Ava’s Army Sugarplum Ball, which raised over $200,000 for pediatric cancer research. Why is that cause important
to you?

Bingham: My cousin Tessa had leukemia when she was two years old. It hurt my heart. Now there’s a lot of people who are raising money for cancer research, and it fills my heart with kindness. It makes me full of gratitude.

Edge: Can you describe the pageant competition? 

Bingham: There’s an interview on stage with questions. There will be a fun fashion gown. I already have my gown picked out. I think there’s going to be fitness too. 

Edge: What do you think will be difficult about competing?

Bingham: The difficulty of it is having a lot of people watching you and you’re scared if you don’t win that crown, you might cry.

Edge: How does your family support you? 

Bingham: They support me by bringing signs to my cheer competitions. It just supports me so much. And whenever I think of that, it gives me a good feeling. They help me by planning my upcoming event in February called the Kindness Camp. It’s going to be at the Hilton Garden Inn West.

Edge: What is the Kindness Camp?

Bingham: It’s gonna be full of stations. The people who come will make kindness kits that we’ll donate. They will write love notes with something special about that person that they love. So sweet. It’ll make people feel really good. They will also make blankets for Endless Journeys, which is a hospice company. The blankets are for kids on hospice.

Edge: I know your mom inspired you to do this. What was it like to see your mom compete for Mrs. International Midwest?

Bingham: It was like a dream for me. I asked my brother to pinch me. It was really exciting to see Mom up there on the stage with a lot of her friends. It also was nice to have a lot of parties in Tennessee where the pageant was held. 

Edge: What other activities are you involved in?

Bingham: I do cheer, basketball, and softball. 

Edge: What do you enjoy doing with your friends in your free time?

Bingham: I like to play outside with my friends and go on play dates. Sometimes my mom takes us to Sephora or Target or maybe even an amusement park! I also like helping my friends. My next-door neighbor’s dad was raising money for the Open Door Mission with a lemonade stand, so I went over and helped. 

Edge: What do you want to do in the future? Any big dreams?

Bingham: I want to be a police officer because they’re big leaders in our community and our lives.

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