Children’s Hospital New Orleans announces Louisiana Legacy fundraising event, celebrating its 70th anniversary while honoring Olivia and Archie Manning and the Manning family

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – Children’s Hospital New Orleans has announced a new signature fundraising event, Louisiana Legacy, planned for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, to commemorate its 70th anniversary of unwavering dedication to children’s health. In celebration of this milestone, Children’s is proud to honor Olivia and Archie Manning, and the Manning family, for their steadfast commitment to improve the well-being of children and families across Louisiana and far beyond.

“The Mannings’ enduring legacy of service and compassion has left a profound impact on our community,” said Darryl Berger, Co-Chair of the inaugural Louisiana Legacy event, together with his wife, Louellen. “My family has been touched by Children’s Hospital and has witnessed the amazing generosity and community involvement of the Manning family over many decades. To have an evening that pulls both of these pillars of our community together for a great cause will be a remarkable moment.” 

The Louisiana Legacy celebration will be held at Louisiana NOW Pavilion, a special venue spearheaded by Gov. Jeff Landry and hosted by Louisiana Economic Development and partners during the 2025 Super Bowl. Co-Chairs Danielle and Deuce McAllister, and Louellen and Darryl Berger, will help plan and host the celebratory occasion.

The event will include a patron party for top sponsors and supporters from 6-7 p.m., followed by the main event which will include a fireside chat with the Mannings. Gourmet cuisine and cocktails will be enjoyed throughout the evening, in addition to live musical entertainment by New Orleans’ own Amanda Shaw and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. 

“We are proud to honor the Manning family for their steadfast dedication to uplifting communities,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital. “Louisiana Legacy will be a celebration you won’t want to miss, supporting two steadfast Louisiana Legacies – the Manning family, and Children’s Hospital New Orleans, which is celebrating 70 years of delivering expert care for the children of our community regardless of a family’s ability to pay.”

A limited number of tickets and sponsorships are now available at chnola.org/legacy.

For 70 years, Children’s Hospital has proudly served as Louisiana’s only freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital with more than 700 pediatric-trained providers and 3,000 employees solely dedicated to the care of kids. In addition to comprehensive services offered at its main campus in New Orleans, Children’s operates a robust network of more than 30 satellite locations, pediatric affiliations across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and robust and long-serving community programs designed to meet the health needs of the diverse communities it serves. Learn more at chnola.org.

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About Children’s Hospital New Orleans
Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a 263-bed, nonprofit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, delivered just for children. With more than 700 pediatric providers, Children’s offers a comprehensive array of pediatric healthcare services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, the hospital operates 10 specialty care clinics across the region, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Diamondhead, MS. Additionally, Children’s offers primary care services 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 chnola.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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