Miss America Named Spokesperson for National Pancake Day

Less than 72 hours after being crowned Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler has flipped for kids and announced that she plans to exchange her crown for a chef’s hat, her gown for an apron and her sash for a spatula to serve as spokesperson for IHOP’s seventh annual National Pancake Day celebration benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In one of her first endeavors as Miss America, Kaeppeler hopes to help raise more than $2.7 million for children’s hospital programs nationwide on Tuesday, February 28 when IHOP restaurants nationwide give away millions of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m In return for the free fluffy treat, guests will be asked to make a voluntary donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or other local charities.

“Helping children in need is a great way to start my year of service as Miss America 2012 and I am honored to serve as a national Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Kaeppeler. “I’ll be out there, and I hope that everyone gets out to their local IHOP on February 28 for free pancakes and to contribute to improving and saving children’s lives in their community.”

IHOP launched its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006 to benefit the communities in which it operates. Last year’s fundraiser was the largest one-day event in IHOP’s 53-year history with more than four million pancakes given away and over $2.5 million raised for local children’s hospitals and other worthy causes. To date, IHOP and its guests have raised nearly $8 million dollars in support of local charities.

"Each year we look forward to National Pancake Day and to welcoming our incredibly generous guests at our more than 1500 IHOP restaurants nationwide,” said Jean Birch, IHOP president. "We are excited about the continued support of the Miss America Organization and welcome Laura to the National Pancake Day family as we 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 Hospitals, please visit www.IHOPpancakeday.com.