Jefferson Island to Host Second Annual Kids & Clays Open

Written By Alicia Vial

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

Jefferson Island, LA – The second annual Kids & Clays Open, a sporting clays event benefitting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana (RMHC-SLA), will be held Friday, March 1, at Jefferson Island, 4619 Rip Van Winkle Rd., New Iberia. 

RMHC-SLA’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 RMHC-SLA. 

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.

"We are thrilled to have this truly inspiring group working together for a cause that holds a special place in my heart – aiding families and children during their most crucial times," said Haley Miller, local McDonald’s owner-operator. "We remain optimistic that we can rely on the backing of local businesses and Louisiana sportsmen across the community to join us in this meaningful undertaking and enjoyable 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 extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed partners at Kids & Clays and our dedicated committee volunteers for orchestrating this annual event,” said Grace McIntosh, executive director of RMHC-SLA. “Their unwavering support is the driving force behind our continued ability to provide unparalleled assistance to families of critically ill children in our community and beyond. Without their steadfast commitment, we would not be able to uphold the highest standards of service and care."

Since RMHC-SLA’s founding in December 1983, they have served more than approximately 30,000 families from Greater New Orleans 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. They are that home-away-from-home, offering free accommodations, volunteer-provided meals, transportation when needed, a food pantry and a support system like no other.

For more information, go to 2nd Annual Kids & Clays Open. Teams are selling out, so make sure to sign up today.

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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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