Record-breaking $2.35M raised at 42nd Sugarplum Ball for Children’s Hospital

The 42nd annual Sugarplum Ball, themed How Sweet it is, was held on Saturday, March 23th at the River City Ballroom and Plaza at Mardi Gras World. With more than 1,500 patrons and guests in attendance, the signature fundraiser for Children's Hospital in New Orleans raised a record-breaking $2.35 million dollars in support of the hospital’s vital mission.

Photo byGambel PR

The event featured a sensational silent auction, featuring hundreds of items filled with unique artwork, fine jewelry, vacation packages, sports memorabilia and more which raised more than $152,000. Two exciting raffles were the “cherry on top” in this year’s fundraising efforts. Thanks to the generous support of The Ray and Jessica Brandt Family Foundation, a $50,000 cash raffle raised more than $82,000 and was raffled off live to the winner during the ball. There was also a second, unprecedented raffle, where the hospital selected seven winners of four suite tickets each to Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour on Saturday, October 26th in New Orleans. All proceeds from the Taylor Swift ticket raffle, which totaled more than $600,000, will help fund a new Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Unit at Children’s Hospital.

Lucio A. Fragoso, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans said, "Since 1981, Sugarplum Ball has helped Children’s Hospital raise the funds necessary to ensure we can deliver on our mission. 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.”

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.

Photo byGambel PR

Kristen Robinson, Senior Director of Marketing and Development for Children’s Hospital New Orleans said, “There are so many to thank for making our 42nd Annual Sugarplum Ball the most successful to date. 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.”

To lean more about Children’s Hospital New Orleans, go to chnola.org