Newly Crowned Miss America 2010 to Serve as Spokesperson for IHOP’s National Pancake Day Celebratio
GLENDALE, CA, Feb 01, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX)
Immediately following her crowning as Miss America 2010 on Saturday,
Caressa Cameron announced that she will serve as spokesperson for
IHOP’s fifth National Pancake Day celebration benefitting Children’s
Miracle Network. Hoping to raise more than $1.75 million for
children’s hospital programs, IHOP will give away millions of its
signature buttermilk pancakes on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 7
a.m. to 10 p.m. In return, America’s favorite restaurant for
breakfast, lunch and dinner asks that guests make a voluntary
donation to support local children’s hospitals through Children’s
Miracle Network, and other local charities.
“I am delighted that as Miss America 2010, I will have the
opportunity to kick-off my reign as a national Goodwill Ambassador
for Children’s Miracle Network and its fundraising partnership with
IHOP on National Pancake Day,” said Caressa Cameron. “Five million
dollars over five years is an impressive fundraising feat, and I look
forward to working closely with IHOP and Children’s Miracle Network
to turn this goal into a reality.”
Miss America’s announcement coincides today with IHOP’s kick-off of
Children’s Miracle Network paper balloon icon sales at restaurants
nationwide. $1 and $5 balloons are available at participating IHOP
restaurants through February 23, 2010 as part of the company’s
month-long fundraising effort that culminates with free pancakes for
all. Hoping to raise a cumulative $5 million in its fifth year of
hosting National Pancake Day, IHOP is offering a $5 balloon for the
first time which includes a bounce-back incentive of $5 off on a
future visit to participating restaurants. Balloons will be
personalized by guests and displayed through National Pancake Day at
participating restaurants. 100% of funds raised through the balloon
sales and on National Pancake Day will benefit the local Children’s
Miracle Network hospital and stay in the community in which the funds
were raised.
IHOP launched its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006 with the
goal to benefit the communities in which it operates. Last year’s
fundraiser was the largest one-day event in IHOP’s 51-year history by
giving away three million pancakes and raising nearly $1.5 million
for local children’s hospitals and other worthy causes. To date, IHOP
has raised more than $3.25 million dollars in support of local
charities and hopes to raise at least $1.75 million in 2010.
“National Pancake Day is the perfect occasion to bring together
families and friends, while raising funds for the communities where
IHOP restaurants operate,” said Carolyn O’Keefe, IHOP’s senior vice
president, marketing. “We congratulate Caressa on her coronation as
Miss America and we’re excited to partner with her and the Miss
America Organization in support of Children’s Miracle Network, and
continue to make a difference in the lives of children across the
country.”
For more information about National Pancake Day, to find a local
IHOP, or to donate to Children’s Miracle Network, please visit
http://www.IHOPpancakeday.com.
ABOUT IHOP
For 51 years, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served its world
famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner
items that are loved by people of all ages. IHOP offers its guests an
affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly
service. The first IHOP opened in Toluca Lake, Calif. in 1958, and as
of September 30, 2009, there were 1,433 IHOPs in 50 states, Canada
and Mexico. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale,
Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates.
International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).
ABOUT THE MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION
The Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading
achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship
assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization
and its state and local organizations made available more than $45
million in cash and scholarship assistance. For more information, go
to http://www.missamerica.org.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK
Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit
organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s
hospitals. Countless individuals, 90 organizations and 400 media
partners unite with Children’s Miracle Network hospitals to help sick
and injured kids in local communities. Donations to Children’s
Miracle Network create miracles by funding medical care, research and
education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children
each year. To learn more go to ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.
Terry Wills/Ann Kelsey
(310) 524-0200
Wills Communications, Inc.
Email Contact/Email Contact
Jennifer Pendergrass
IHOP
(818) 637-3603
Sharon Pearce
Miss America Organization
609-653-8700
SOURCE: IHOP
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