Children's Hospital New Orleans' 42nd Annual Sugarplum Ball raises a record-breaking $2.35M

Mar 26

More than 1,500 patrons and guests attended the 2024 Sugarplum Ball, held at Mardi Gras World’s River City Ballroom, on Saturday, March 23.

NEW ORLEANS – On the evening of Saturday, March 23, 2024, friends and supporters of Children’s Hospital New Orleans celebrated the 42nd annual Sugarplum Ball, themed How Sweet It Is. The signature fundraiser, presented by LEMOINE, was set at the River City Ballroom and Plaza at Mardi Gras World, and raised a record-breaking $2.35M in support of the hospital’s vital mission.

Co-Chairs Quincy Crawford and Jessica Waguespack led more than 100 Host Committee members whose hard work and dedication helped raised the most funds in the ball’s history. Working alongside the 2024 Ball Co-Chairs, Auction Chairs Smith Beevers and Marcie Gardner and Food Chairs Susie Kirchner and Leigh Liles, MD, helped plan an evening to remember.

“Since 1981, Sugarplum Ball has helped Children’s Hospital raise the funds necessary to ensure we can deliver on our mission,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “The record-breaking results of this year’s ball will make an extraordinary impact on our ability to deliver expert pediatric care for all children, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.”

Top sponsors, including LEMOINE, Bernhard, The Ray & Jessica Brandt Family Foundation, The McDonnel Group, LSU Health New Orleans’ Department of Pediatrics, and more, enjoyed a Sundae Soiree VIP party presented by the Ray & Jessica Brandt Family Foundation to kick off the evening’s sweet theme. Guests enjoyed cuisine provided by Ralph Brennan Catering at Cafe NOMA and entertainment by NOLA Dukes Band to get the spectacular evening started.

The main event featured entertainment on the Bernhard Dance Stage from 11-piece New Orleans band Blue Rhythm, and unique themed décor and characters to celebrate “the sweet life” all evening long. Guests enjoyed delicious food from 42 local restaurants, and signature cocktails and beer provided by Crescent Crown, The Sazerac Company and Goldring Family Foundation, and wine from Republic National Distributing Company. Patrons also took a chance at the Jelly Bean Jackpot Raffle Pull presented by The McDonnel Group, and discovered their sweet side with a Cotton Candy Bar presented by LSU Health New Orleans’ Department of Pediatrics.

"As mothers and New Orleanians, witnessing the steadfast support that our community has for Children’s Hospital is truly humbling," said 2024 Co-Chairs Quincy Crawford and Jessica Waguespack. "Every dollar that we raised together is dedicated to improving the health of kids across Louisiana, and we are grateful for the extraordinary outpouring of support and generosity through this year’s Sugarplum Ball.”

A sensational silent auction, featuring hundreds of items filled with unique artwork, fine jewelry, vacation packages, sports memorabilia and more, raised more than $152,000. Finally, two exciting raffles were the “cherry on top” in this year’s fundraising efforts. Thanks to the generous support of The Ray & Jessica Brandt Family Foundation, a $50,000 cash raffle raised more than $82,000 and was raffled off to one lucky winner live during the ball.

With a second, unprecedented raffle, the hospital selected seven winners of four suite tickets each to Taylor Swift ꟾ The Eras Tour on Saturday, October 26 in New Orleans. All proceeds from the Taylor Swift ticket raffle, which totaled more than $600,000, are helping to fund a new Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Unit at Children’s Hospital.

“There are so many to thank for making our 42nd Annual Sugarplum Ball the most successful to date,” said Kristen Robinson, Senior Director of Marketing and Development for Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “The results that we achieved together will be put to work immediately in helping Children’s continue to provide lifesaving and life-changing care for children from across the region, and we are incredibly grateful.”

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About Children’s Hospital New Orleans
Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, delivered just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Children’s offers a comprehensive array of pediatric healthcare services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, the hospital operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Diamondhead, MS. Children’s offers primary care services at 14 convenient locations and remotely via its Virtual Care for Kids program. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at chnola.org.

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.

Children's Hospital New Orleans' 42nd Annual Sugarplum Ball raises a record-breaking $2.35M

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