Jefferson Island to host third annual Kids & Clays Open

Written By Alicia Vial

Hidden treasure and New Iberia oasis to be the site for sporting fundraiser benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana

Jefferson Island, LA – The third annual Kids & Clays Open, a sporting clays event benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana (RMHCSLA) returns Friday, April 4 at Jefferson Island. The event is an opportunity for both beginners and experienced sportsmen to enjoy one of America’s fastest growing sports while raising funds to help ease the financial and emotional burdens families face as they access critical care for their children.

RMHCSLA’s mission is to provide a home away from home for critically ill children and their families as they embark on their medical journey. The Kids & Clays Foundation’s mission is to help local RMHC Chapters raise funds through sporting clay events.

Participants will enjoy a 72-bird round of sporting clays on a professionally set Promatic course, golf cart, ear and eye protection, registrant gifts, access to all necessary equipment, lunch, games and prizes including outdoor gear, trips and more through raffles and auctions. All proceeds from sponsorships, registration fees and auction funds raised will directly benefit RMHCSLA. 

A large team of local business owners and leaders have assembled to helm the event and ensure its success. This committee of volunteers includes numerous McDonalds owner-operators and McIlhenny Company.

“I am incredibly grateful to have such an inspiring group united for a cause so close to my heart—supporting children and families in their most critical moments,” said Haley Miller, local McDonald’s owner-operator. “We are hopeful that local businesses and Louisiana sportsmen will continue to stand with us, lending their support to this impactful mission and exciting event.”

Teams of four start at $1,200 and sponsorships, which include tickets to the exclusive Patron Party the evening before, are still available. Individuals may also register for $325 per person. A team of certified instructors will be onsite to coach anyone not familiar with the sport. No experience is necessary to have a great, safe time participating in one of America’s fastest growing sports.

“We sincerely thank our valued partners at Kids & Clays and our dedicated committee volunteers for making this annual event possible,” said Grace McIntosh, CEO of RMHCSLA. “Their unwavering support fuels our mission, enabling us to provide life-changing assistance to families of critically ill children in our community and beyond. It is their steadfast commitment that allows us to uphold the highest standards of care, offering hope and relief when it matters most.”

Since RMHCSLA’s founding in December 1983, they have served more than 30,000 families from the Acadiana region, all Louisiana parishes, and across the country. With the help of the local community, they help ease the financial and emotional burdens families face as they access critical care for their children. The Ronald McDonald Family Room, at Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital, is that home-away-from-home, offering free accommodations, volunteer-provided meals and a support system like no other.

The third annual Kids & Clays Open will take place at Jefferson Island, located at 4619 Rip Van Winkel Rd. in New Iberia. For more information about tickets or sponsorships, visit https://kidsandclays.com/product/3rd-annual-kids-clays-open/  

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana
Since 1983, RMHC-SLA has partnered with our local children’s health care providers to keep families together and near the medical care their ill or injured children need. Through the generosity of our donors and volunteers, RMHC-SLA continues to focus on families’ needs as they face the medical uncertainty and financial stress of caring for their children. 

Today, RMHC-SLA serves critically ill children through our Ronald McDonald House® located in New Orleans on the campus of Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald Family Room® in Lafayette at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, and Ronald McDonald Hospitality Carts. Through these programs we help provide housing, meals, community, and psychosocial support to families with children at local hospitals across Louisiana, the Gulf South Region and around the world. 

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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