2009 Manning Fundraiser Raises over $600,000 for the New Eli Manning Children’s Clinics

JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Friends of Children’s Hospital (Friends) announced today that over $600,000 was raised at the 2009 fundraiser, “An Evening with the Mannings, Presented by BankPlus.” The proceeds from this event will benefit Friends and the recently-opened Eli Manning Children’s Clinics at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

“During my last trip to Jackson, I was able to tour the Eli Manning Children’s Clinics for the first time,” said Eli Manning. “That was a special day for my wife Abby and me, and I’m so happy that with the continued success of this event, we are well on our way to our $2.5 million goal.”

The black tie event was held Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the Jackson Convention Complex in downtown Jackson. Featured at the gala was a live cooking demonstration that included Eli Manning and his celebrity guest, famed chef and restaurateur, Emeril Lagasse. The pair cooked up recipes from Emeril’s latest cookbook, Emeril at the Grill, including grilled marinated flank steak; salmon with a pineapple, mango, and strawberry salsa; and grilled peaches with mascarpone and honey.

“I was very happy to return to Jackson to help my friend Eli and the Manning family in this worthwhile cause for the children of Mississippi,” said Emeril Lagasse. “What a wonderful night dedicated to raising funds to improve the healthcare for children in this area.”

Sam Haskell, former Executive Vice President and Worldwide Head of Television at the William Morris Agency, and author of the recently published book Promises I Made My Mother, served as the event’s emcee, offering guests his own anecdotes on the importance of giving back to the community.

"It was an honor to host An Evening With The Mannings,” said Haskell. “Mary [Haskell’s wife] and I admire the philanthropic endeavors of Olivia, Archie, Abby, and Eli Manning, and we'd do anything to help them. God above is surely aware of the good that is being done to help the children of Mississippi!”

Other event highlights included an entertaining live auction, as well as a silent auction composed of signed sports memorabilia, Viking appliances, Emeril merchandise, spa packages, art, trips, and fine jewelry.

“BankPlus has a longstanding relationship with the Manning family,” said Bill Ray, BankPlus President and CEO. “It is gratifying to know that this relationship has allowed BankPlus to help bring this project to fruition, ensuring a world-class healthcare facility for all of Mississippi’s children.”

“Part of the event’s success can be attributed to Emeril Lagasse’s talented culinary staff and the excellent facilities at the new Jackson Convention Complex,” said Sara Ray, Chair of “An Evening with the Mannings” and Friends Board Member. “This new venue is truly an asset to metro Jackson in that it enabled us to put on a first-class event and successful fundraiser for Friends of Children’s Hospital.”

About “An Evening with the Mannings, Presented by BankPlus”

“An Evening with the Mannings” is part of Eli Manning’s and BankPlus’ five-year commitment to raise $2.5 million for the Eli Manning Children’s Clinics at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. The 2009 event was the third in a series of five events to be held annually in June. The 2010 event is scheduled for Saturday, June 19, 2010. Please mark your calendar and make plans to join Olivia and Archie Manning; their three sons Cooper, Peyton, and Eli; and their wives for this Father’s Day weekend event. For information, host and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kristin Allen at 601.898.8312 or KristinAllen@BankPlus.net.

About BankPlus

BankPlus, with total assets of more than $2.1 billion, has 65 banking offices in 34 Mississippi communities. In addition to its Belzoni Main Office, other BankPlus offices are located in Bentonia, Brandon, Byram, Canton, Clinton, D’Iberville, Durant, Flora, Flowood, Gluckstadt, Hernando, Holly Bluff, Horn Lake, Isola, Jackson, Lexington, Madison, Meridian, Newton, Ocean Springs, Olive Branch, Pearl, Picayune, Pickens, Poplarville, Quitman, Ridgeland, Shubuta, Southaven, Stonewall, Tchula, Waynesboro, and Yazoo City. For additional information on BankPlus, please visit www.BankPlus.net.

About Emeril Lagasse

Chef Emeril Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of eleven restaurants across the country including Emeril's, NOLA and Emeril's Delmonico in New Orleans, and Emeril's Gulf Coast Fish House in Gulfport. He is a national TV personality, having hosted over 1,500 episodes of his shows Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live on the Food Network, and is also the food correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America. He is the host of Emeril Green, an original series exploring fresh and seasonal ingredients on Discovery’s Planet Green. Emeril is the best-selling author of thirteen cookbooks, including his latest, Emeril at the Grill. Emeril Lagasse joined the Martha Stewart family of brands in 2008; Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (NYSE: MSO) acquired the assets related to Emeril’s media and merchandising business, including television programming, cookbooks, and emerils.com website and his licensed kitchen and food products. In September 2002, Emeril established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to support and encourage culinary arts and education programs for children. As of May 2009, the foundation has contributed $3 million to organizations in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast.

About Friends of Children’s Hospital

Friends of Children’s Hospital is a nonprofit organization created to benefit the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. It was created by a group of dedicated members from around the state whose purpose is to support and promote the Batson Hospital for Children, Mississippi’s ONLY hospital designed and equipped specifically for the care and treatment of sick and injured children. The Batson Hospital prioritizes children’s care and places emphasis on the special needs of hospitalized children. The goal of Friends is to build a statewide base of community support in order to raise money for state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and services for all pediatric patients. Through volunteer efforts and contributions, members of Friends help the Batson Hospital in its fight against childhood disease and injury.

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