Manning Family Children’s selected as regional finalist for Chick-Fil-A’s Inspiration Awards®

Written By Alicia Vial

The only Louisiana nonprofit selected, the hospital has a chance to earn up to $200,000 to support the Morgan Rae Center for Hope

NEW ORLEANS – Manning Family Children’s has been selected as a regional finalist for Chick-fil-A's 2026 True Inspiration Awards®, with the opportunity to earn up to $200,000 in support of its Morgan Rae Center for Hope. The Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards® Program selects regional finalists through a grant application process, who are then invited to move forward with a public voting process from Sept. 2-30.

“At Chick-fil-A, giving back is part of who we are,” said local Chick-fil-A owner operator, Chris Saolomone. “We are committed to helping the neighborhoods we serve, and empowering nonprofits like Manning Family Children’s, who play a vital role in this community. We are excited about the opportunity to build upon our longstanding support of Manning Family Children’s through the 2026 True Inspiration Awards®. We need our community’s help to secure as many votes as possible to help Manning Family Children’s come in first place for our region, which will secure up to $200,000 in grant funding.”

Voting is available through the Chick-fil-A One App. The app can be download at this link, with voting beginning today. The instructions below can be followed to cast a vote:

  • Sign in to your Chick-fil-A One account (or create one) in the Chick-fil-A One App

  • Select ‘For You’ at the bottom of the screen and look for the True Inspiration Awards® card

  • Click the 'Vote Now' button

  • Select your region (Manning Family Children's is part of the Southwest Region)

  • Read about this year’s regional finalists (select Manning Family Children’s) and cast your vote by clicking the vote button!

  • Voters may vote only once within their Chick-fil-A app

“We can’t deliver upon our mission, including our vital community programs like the Morgan Rae Center for Hope, without the ongoing support of our community,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s. “The Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards® are an exciting way for our community to help us help more kids. Please spread the word and help us earn the maximum grant award dollars.”

The Morgan Rae Center for Hope opened last October as an expansion of Manning Family Children’s long-serving child abuse pediatrics program. The Morgan Rae Center for Hope provides hope and healing for children and adolescents who have experienced abuse and human trafficking.

For 70 years, Manning Family Children’s has proudly served as Louisiana’s only, freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital with more than 600 pediatric-trained providers and 3,000 employees solely dedicated to the care of kids. In addition to comprehensive services offered at its main campus in New Orleans, Children’s operates a robust network of more than 30 satellite locations, pediatric affiliations across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and robust and long- community programs designed to meet the health needs of the diverse communities it serves. At the heart of its mission, Manning Family Children’s is committed to delivering expert care for every child, every time – regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Through the annual True Inspiration Awards® program, Chick-fil-A celebrates and supports nonprofit organizations making an impact in their local communities. True Inspiration Awards® grants range from $30,000 to $350,000, with at least $5 million awarded annually to organizations throughout North America. Last year, more than 627,000 votes were cast through the Chick-fil-A App voting process. Each of the regional winners are guaranteed $30K in funding. The final funding amount will be decided based on the overall score, where recipients could expand that grant award amount up to $200K. To date, Chick-fil-A has funded 358 organizations with over $38M in grants in 40 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

To learn more about the True Inspiration Awards® and how to vote visit  www.manningchildrens.org/CFA.  

 

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About Manning Family Children’s:
Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. 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 manningchildren’s.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.

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