Saturday night saw the crowning of Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler — and ushered in a new Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® Goodwill Ambassador. Wisconsin’s Kaeppeler will dedicate a significant portion of her title year to raising funds and awareness for the children’s charity that supports 170 children’s hospitals and is Miss America’s official national platform.

“On behalf of our U.S. hospitals nationwide, we extend a big congratulations to Laura on being named Miss America, and a warm welcome as she begins working to support the 17 million kids treated by our hospitals each year,” said John Lauck, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals president and CEO. “From visiting our hospitals’ patients and staff to see how life-saving funds are used to supporting our national Champions program, Laura will be not only a spokesperson for millions of kids receiving treatment but a role model as well.”

One of Laura’s first fundraising efforts will be supporting IHOP National Pancake Day on Tuesday, Feb. 28 to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Miss America’s partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals also extends to everyone competing at local, state and national levels of the pageant. The Miss America program requires each participating contestant to raise funds on behalf of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Miss America Scholarship fund.

Prior to the Miss America pageant on Saturday night, seven state organizations and representatives were recognized last week during the Miracle Maker Awards Presentation in Las Vegas. The awards honored exceptional program fundraising efforts to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Those awarded include:

Miracle Maker Scholarships ($5,000)

Miss Hawaii Lauren Cheape

Miss Louisiana Hope Anderson

Miss North Carolina Hailey Best

State Miracle Maker Awards

Miss Hawaii Organization

Miss Louisiana Organization

Road to Las Vegas Challenge — Fundraising Incentive Program

Alabama’s Elizabeth Anne Beasley

New Hampshire’s Brittany Dube

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More About the Miss America Organization and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has a nearly 20-year history working with the Miss America Organization, but has been the official national platform since 2007. The partnership has raised millions to benefit children’s hospitals like yours across the nation.