Funds from inaugural event benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
The inaugural St. Jude Miracles on the Red is a formal event where the people of Shreveport-Bossier City can experience a night on the town while raising money for a cause.
Miracles on the Red is a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ranked one of the best pediatric cancer hospitals in the country. The event will be held March 14 at the Shreveport Convention Center and will feature dinner, cocktails, silent and live auctions, wine pull and a brief patient program.
The event is hosted by Committee Chair Sheri Hightower, and Teddy Allen of The Times will be the master of ceremonies for the evening. Miracles on the Red is presented by Career Adventures, Inc. and Milbar Hydro-Test, Inc.
The money raised from this event will help save the lives of children across Louisiana, the United States and around the world. In fact, Shreveport’s own Children’s Hospital at LSU Health Science Center is a St. Jude Affiliate Clinic, bringing pediatric oncology services to the children in the Ark-La-Tex area.
Currently, St. Jude is treating 750 patients from Louisiana.
“There’s no place like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We are leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer,” Danielle Chauvin, regional event specialist for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said. “Families never pay St. Jude for anything – not travel, treatment, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. St. Jude shares its research with doctors and hospitals throughout the world, so any local hospital can utilize the treatments we are developing and implement them in their community.”
Chauvin said event organizers have put together what promises to be a memorable party.
Entertainment will be provided by Johnny Earthquake and The Moondogs with a special guest appearance by local guitar legend James Burton. The Moondogs are a 10-piece band from Natchitoches and feature a full horn section, dubbed “The Horny Boys,” two girl singers, “The Lovely Moonbeams,” and, of course, front man Johnny Earthquake. The band specializes in familiar favorites with a Louisiana flare.
Beyond the dinner and dancing, Chauvin said partygoers can also leave the event with some truly impressive auction items.
“Our live and silent auction items run the gamut for us to truly realize Miracles on the Red for St. Jude,” Chauvin said. “Items include a New York City getaway, a week of relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Destin, Fla., a VIP trip to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, exquisite jewelry, shopping sprees, dinner parties, sports packages – both golf and tennis, dinners at your favorite local spots, items to make you beautiful, fashion galore and even an amusement day for the kids,” Chauvin said.
Chauvin said the tech savvy will enjoy a new feature of the auctions that makes Miracles on the Red a true first for Shreveport-Bossier City.
“What will really make this such a unique auction is the ‘mobile bidding’ that St. Jude will bring to the area for the first time,” Chauvin said. “Guests will be able to place bids on their mobile devices while they are dancing the night away.”
Sponsors for Miracles on the Red include John and Lindsay Atkins, Chesapeake Energy, Culligan Water Treatment of Bossier City, Daryl and Jean Cooper, Diesel Driving Academy, Eldorado Casino, Fire Tech Systems, Inc, Wilhite Solar Solutions, among many others.
The attire for the evening is “spring chic,” and hosted valet will be available at the Shreveport Convention Center.
Tickets are available for $125 per person or a table sponsorship for $1,500. Tickets have been going fast, and even came close to selling out at one point.
“The good news is the Shreveport Convention Center was able to open up the entire ballroom for our event, so we still have tickets available,” Chauvin said. Additional sponsorship opportunities are also still available.
For more information on Miracles on the Red and to purchase tickets, go to www. stjude.org/shreveport.
–Kirk Fontenot
