43rd annual Sugarplum Ball, presented by LEMOINE, celebrates 70 years of extraordinary care for kids

Written By Alicia Vial

The annual fundraising gala will raise vital funds to benefit Manning Family Children’s

NEW ORLEANS – On the evening of Saturday, March 29, friends and supporters of Manning Family Children’s will celebrate the 43rd annual Sugarplum Ball, themed Beneath A Sapphire Sky in celebration of the hospital’s 70-year anniversary. The annual black-tie fundraiser, presented by LEMOINE, will be set at the River City Ballroom and Plaza at Mardi Gras World. 

Co-Chairs Marcie Gardner and Holt Kolb will lead more than 100 Host Committee members in raising funds to support the vital and long-serving mission of Manning Family Children’s, which proudly delivers expert pediatric care for all children, regardless of ability to pay. Working alongside the 2025 Sugarplum Ball Co-Chairs, Auction Chairs Annie Gonzalez and Dorian Stone and Food Chairs Meg Baldwin and Mary Martin Roth, have helped plan an evening to remember.  

"As one of New Orleans' most cherished philanthropic celebrations, Sugarplum Ball highlights the unwavering generosity of our ball patrons and sponsors who have helped raise more than $13M to further Manning Family Children’s vital mission through the years,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s. "As we celebrate 70 years of extraordinary care for kids in 2025, we know the results of the 43rd annual Sugarplum Ball will help advance our mission to deliver the highest level of pediatric care for children across Louisiana, the Gulf South, and far beyond.” 

Top sponsors, including LEMOINE, Bernhard, The Ray & Jessica Brandt Family Foundation, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, LSU Health New Orleans, Clement Building Company, Compass One Healthcare, Deloitte, First Horizon Bank, Humana, Marye and John Nickens, and Supreme Auto Group, and all sponsors of $12,000 and above, will enjoy a Champagne Supernova VIP party presented by the Ray & Jessica Brandt Family Foundation to kick off the evening from 6-7 pm. Cuisine by Ralph Brennan Catering from Café NOMA, Napoleon House, and Ralph’s on the Park along with entertainment by NOLA String Quartet will get the evening’s festivities started.  

“This year, Holt and I are honored to be the next in a long line of remarkable Sugarplum Ball Co-Chairs. Together, along with our extraordinary Host Committee, we hope to deliver a truly memorable experience while raising vital funds for Manning Family Children’s,” said Gardner. “Our community’s continued dedication and generosity ensures that every child has access to the extraordinary care they deserve, right here at home.”

The main event begins at 7 p.m., featuring entertainment on the Bernhard Dance Stage with the 11-piece New Orleans band Blue Rhythm. Guests will also enjoy delicious food from more than 40 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.

A memorable silent auction will feature hundreds of items including unique artwork, fine jewelry, vacation packages, sports memorabilia and more. Surrounded by elegant, themed décor and characters who will bring the majestic theme to life, patrons will also take a chance at the $50,000 Lucky Stars Cash Raffle presented by Ray & Jessica Brandt Family Foundation. Tickets are on sale now at manningchildrens.org/cashraffle and will be sold during the ball, while chances remain. The winner will be announced live on stage at 9:30 p.m. and does not need to be present to win.

"For us, Sugarplum Ball is more than a celebration; it's a testament to the collective power of our community,” added Kolb. “We've poured our hearts into crafting an experience that will not only raise vital funds, but also create lasting memories. We invite everyone to join us ‘Beneath A Sapphire Sky' and be a part of this transformative night for the children of our region."

For more information or to purchase tickets and sponsorships, visit manningchildrens.org/sugarplum.  

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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 14 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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