National Pancake Day is one of the most anticipated days for any pancake lover and philanthropist; but there is more meaning behind this day. It’s a day when people come together, at IHOP locations, all across the US, #forthekids! The Miss America Organization and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have also been strong partners with IHOP for this special day! Anyone who walked into IHOP yesterday got a free stack of pancakes, simply for making a donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Tweet

And what was the outcome? A total of $5 million was collectively raised, “for local children’s hospitals and health organizations across the country and around the world,” IHOP announced on their website! But the donating doesn’t end there; people can still visit “any IHOP^® restaurant and make an on-check donation to our charity partners now through March 31,” they also stated on their website. And for us, it was great to see title-holders from different states coming together for this amazing effort.

Jillian Zucco, who is the reigning Miss Massachusetts 2017, shared with us why this day is so important; she went onto state, “The dollars raised for CMNH helps improve quality of life for hospitalized children across the country. If insurances don’t cover art therapy, paw therapy, music therapy, etc., CMNH has these kids covered. I’ve seen specific rooms, supplies, toys, and pieces of equipment that exist in Boston Children’s Hospital solely due to funds donated through CMNH. It is so important #forthekids to have something to look forward to during grueling, and often lengthy, hospital visits. We need to be taking care of their minds and spirits as well as we medically treat their bodies. The Children’s Miracle Network helps hospitals accomplish this.”

Meghan Rubadou, of Massachusetts, is the reigning Miss Taunton 2018, and she was excited to share with us about her day; she said “#NationalPancakeDay is one of my favorite days! I had so much fun this year appearing as Miss Taunton 2018 at IHOP on Rt. 44 in Raynham, Massachusetts, meeting all of the families who came in to donate #ForTheKids!”

Rabadou went onto state, “Raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a cause that has earned a huge place in my heart. I began volunteering at Boston Children’s Hospital when I was a junior in high school and very quickly began to fall in love with all of the creative and fun opportunities the Child Life Specialists had to offer their patients there. When I began competing in the Miss America Organization and raising funds for CMNH myself, I began to really understand that the art therapy, music therapy, puppy therapy, and other outlets for kids to have fun and be kids in the hospital would not be nearly as available for children and their families without the support of donors around the country. It is the support of CMNH that adds up from events like #NationalPancakeDay that will allow me to spoil every little munchkin I will meet in the future once I am working as a full time Child Life Specialist.”

Katie Schreckengast, who is the sweetest (no pun intended) person in the world is the amazing Miss Pennsylvania 2017 and she too did her part for National Pancake Day. Schreckengast told us that, “National Pancake Day at IHOP highlights some of the greatest qualities of communities across the country; delicious food and generous giving.  Every single cent donated to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals truly does make a difference and in some cases, saves a child’s life.  I’ve had the honor of meeting many miracle children during my time as a titleholder in the Miss America System and watching them grow up and achieve amazing things because of the support they receive from CMNH makes every single fundraising effort worth the time, sweat and money.”



From Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, and across the US to Washington State, where Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen, Tia Moua, also took part in this amazing day of giving! Moua shared with us, “I believe that it is so important to do this for the kids because raising funds not only supports the children but it greatly impacts families. I love seeing our community come together in this great effort to make a difference in the lives of children! Each donation you make truly helps; so it was so much fun educating people at IHOP for National Pancake Day about why people should donate to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! It is such a great cause and I was grateful to be part of this fun and wonderful experience!”




Savannah Giammarco, who is Miss Southern Connecticut 2018, was also proud to share about her time at the local IHOP. Giammarco stated, “National Pancake Day is important because it’s a day that IHOP gives back to the community in a way that urges the community to give to CMNH! It’s an outreach that goes so much farther than just free pancakes.”

And of course, no story would be completed without sharing from my own home state, New Jersey! Many of the local Teen and Miss title-holders from Jersey got together for this national day of delicious pancakes #forthekids!

Alyssa Lego, who is Miss Northern Lakes’ Outstanding Teen wrote to us, “Pancakes are a favorite in my home, especially with my younger brother Michael! We even have them for dinner! I love seeing the community come together in a fun way to enjoy hot-off-the-griddle buttery pancakes #forthekids at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Thank you to IHOP in Brick, NJ for hosting a wonderful event and having me back for the second year in a a row to volunteer and help make miracles happen. Michael receives services at Children’s Specialized Hospitals – this mean the world to me, my family and so many kids!”

Katrina Biss, Miss Northern Highlands 2018, was ready for a day of pancakes and donations! “Raising money and awareness for CMNH is so important for the kids and their families because we can help provide them with the care and support they need. Volunteering at the IHOP in Kenvil, NJ was so rewarding and we had a wonderful turnout. A big thanks to all who donated to Children Miracle Network Hospitals- it really makes a difference for #forthekids!“


Sophia Vicari, Miss Camden County 2018, was excited to share with our readers about her time at the local IHOP. She said, “It’s so important to do this #forthekids to show that we need to give back— and when better to donate than when you receive free pancakes?  It encourages others to be giving, and being a part of this fun, carb-filled day allows us to live out the point on our crowns that represents service.” And what was even better to see was the community coming together with Vicari on this day; pictured below is a group shot with Bayer who donated $315 #forthekids!


Ally DeForge, also from New Jersey, is the current Miss Ocean County 2018. She spent time at her local IHOP and said, “It’s important to do this for the kids because we are able to affect their lives in a positive way!! By coming together as a community, we are able to grow closer by spending time together, celebrate doing good for children in need, and eat something delicious, pancakes!”



As you can see, there is so much more behind National Pancake Day, and getting some free pancakes. It’s an opportunity for those in the community to come together, and make a difference in the lives of children. And don’t forget, there is still time to be part of this amazing effort and add to the $5 million dollars which has already been collected! You can select your local CMN Hospital, and contribute to their efforts and be part of this amazing effort #forthekids!
To learn more about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and their partnership with IHOP, #forthekids, you can learn more here. And you can also read about other amazing young women from the Miss America Organization and MAOTeen, who are striving to make a difference in their communities!