Streamwood teen helps raise funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Northern Illinois Scholarship Program Social Ambassador Queen 2014 Arielle Christopher, age 15, of Streamwood, served pancakes and greeted customers to help raise funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals at IHOP's National Pancake Day celebration held at IHOP Restaurant, 2250 Barrington Road, Hoffman Estates, on Tuesday, March 4.
IHOP's National Pancake Day is an annual fundraiser to raise needed funds for member Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. Christopher volunteered to serve as IHOP's celebrity hostess from 6 to 8 p.m. The beauty queen greeted customers, served pancakes, posed for photos with Miss Illinois 1996 Tania Gibson, and personally received over $200 in donations within two-hours to help support IHOP's charitable efforts.
"I liked the feeling that we were helping children in hospitals", said Christopher. "I wanted to help make a difference because that's what beauty queens should do."
The local IHOP's business that evening was very lively as customers filled the front hallway waiting to get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. In exchange for the free short stacks, customers were encouraged to leave a voluntary donation in support of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. IHOP hopes to raise more than $3 million this year.
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments, health care services, pediatric medical equipment, and charitable care.
Christopher's platform is to support the needs of children suffering from financial and medical hardships. Northern Illinois Scholarship Program is a volunteer program with a beauty pageant whose purpose is to help others by making a difference through community service. NISP is based in Wauconda.
For information, contact Diane Calabrese, NISP director, (847) 778-9961, or visit www.nisprograms.com.
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