Beignet Fest Foundation launches ‘Mission Message’ t-shirt

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – The Beignet Fest Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a new, limited edition “mission message” t-shirt available for sale on the Beignet Fest website.

The custom shirt is designed to celebrate the strength and individuality of people on the autism spectrum. Proceeds from t-shirt sales benefit the Beignet Fest Foundation’s year-round programs, including Benny’s S.O.S. (Sensory On-Site Spaces), which provides sensory respite areas at public events, and Camp Benny, a summer day camp tailored for children with autism and developmental differences.

The shirt design features a bold and affirming message that reflects the foundation’s ongoing mission to celebrate, embrace, and empower children with autism and their families. By wearing the shirt, supporters can show their pride in neurodiversity while directly contributing to impactful, inclusive programming in the Greater New Orleans area.

“Our mission is rooted in building a world where individuals with autism are celebrated, supported, and included,” said Sherwood Collins, executive director. “This shirt provides a way for advocates to spread awareness, foster community pride, and generate critical funding for the services families count on.”

The “mission message” t-shirt is available online through our Merchandise page. All purchases directly support the Beignet Fest Foundation.

To learn more about the Beignet Fest Foundation, visit www.beignetfest.com.

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About Beignet Fest & Beignet Fest Foundation
Beignet Fest is a premier food festival in Louisiana that celebrates one of New Orleans’s most iconic dishes all in one place on one day. Proceeds from the event benefit the Beignet Fest Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization established to raise awareness and support for programs in Greater New Orleans that serve autistic youth and their families.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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