STAMFORD, CT (TIP): The recently crowned Miss India Connecticut, Ronita Choudhuri, traveled to Guatemala with AmeriCares this week to tour the humanitarian organization’s aid programs. The West Hartford native was one of 75 supporters who left the AmeriCares Airlift Benefit on Saturday night on a chartered plane destined for Guatemala. Airlift passengers were taken on a whirlwind tour of the hospitals, clinics and homes for children and the elderly AmeriCares supports with donated medicines and supplies. The 24-hour trip gave supporters of the Stamford-based charity a glimpse into its work in more than 90 countries.

“The work AmeriCares is doing in Guatemala and the impact they are having is truly amazing,” Choudhuri said. “I feel so fortunate to have been able to witness firsthand just a slice of the great work the doctors, nurses, volunteers and caretakers do every day. This was a journey of hope, and with the resources and aid provided by AmeriCares, we are ensuring Guatemalans have a better and healthier tomorrow.”

The 25th annual AmeriCares Airlift Benefit “A Journey of Hope” raised more than $1.2 million for the organization’s relief efforts worldwide. More than 750 supporters attended the sold-out event in the Panorama hangar at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y. on Sept. 29.

“We were pleased to have Ms. Choudhuri accompany the airlift to Guatemala as our special guest of honor,” said AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling, one of the judges at last month’s Miss India Connecticut pageant in New Haven where she was crowned. “Through her community service work with HIV and cancer patients, she embodies our core values and determination to help more people live longer, healthier lives.”