Archived News | Return to News Center

May 21, 2009

Miss ULM delivers handmade cards and $1,800 donation to Children’s Miracle Network

Miss ULM Hope Anderson had extra reason to beam with pride after the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Tiaras and Tea Princess Tea Party May 9 – the event raised over $1,800 to benefit Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

Anderson said the magnanimous sum originated from registrations, a silent auction and donations. “We are pleased that Tiaras and Tea was a success. We had such incredible support from the community - more than 65 princesses attended, accompanied by mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and even teachers! With the help of generous volunteers and local businesses, over $1,800 was raised for the kids receiving treatments at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. We are excited to see this money go toward such an incredible cause!”

Handmade cards courtesy of Tiaras and Tea attendees were also delivered by Anderson when she paid a visit to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans Thursday, May 14. While at the hospital, she visited with patients and their families as an ambassador for ULM, as well as the Miss Louisiana Scholarship and Miss America Pageants.

Community Relations Coordinator Nicole O'Malley Marinello said on behalf of Children's Hospital, ”We thank ULM and Miss Hope Anderson for their support of Children's Hospital and their continued fundraising efforts. With [this] support, we are able to continue to provide outstanding pediatric health care to children from all over the state of Louisiana.”

For Tiaras and Tea attendees Sami Owens and her daughter Peyton, Anderson’s work has special meaning. “Peyton was a patient at the Children’s Hospital two years ago,” Sami Owens shared. “She was born with two heart defects that we did not discover until she was three years old. [Our doctor] sent her to Children’s where she had them repaired in June 2007. I know if someone like Hope had visited her while there, it would have brightened her day (and served as a very welcomed distraction for Mommy). Outreach like Hope is doing is so very important, and we all recognize that. But you don’t truly appreciate it until it touches you personally.

“I am so happy that I was able to share this experience with Peyton, particularly as part of Mother’s Day weekend. We had a wonderful time being princesses for the afternoon, and I think that Hope has done a phenomenal job in the role as Miss ULM. You could see the little girls looking up to her and I can’t think of a better role model than someone who teaches the valuable lesson of ‘investing in others.’”

The Tiaras and Tea Princess Tea Party paired up a fabulous pot of tea and the very best of company with the opportunity to benefit CMN Saturday, May 9; Anderson hosted. At the morning and afternoon tea sessions, activities included a princess parade, refreshments, entertainment, games, craft projects for CMN kids, and an autograph and photo session with Anderson. She was joined in her philanthropic work by several community sponsors and the Office of Student Life and Leadership.

Children's Miracle Network is an international nonprofit organization that raises money for medical research, children's hospitals and awareness of children's health issues. For more information, go to: www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/.

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ULM.