Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell is working with IHOP Restaurants and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in preparation for the 11th annual National Pancake Day on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 to help raise funds for CMN Hospitals and other local charities. Today, Betty is learning to flip a perfect pancake at IHOP in Beavercreek, OH, where she will also serve guests and collect early donations for the cause.
On National Pancake Day, Betty will trade in her crown and sash for a chef’s hat and apron as she assumes her role as spokesperson for the family-friendly restaurant’s annual fundraising event. Participating IHOP restaurants will offer one free short stack of pancakes to guests from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on March 8. In return, guests are encouraged to leave behind a voluntary donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.
“I am thrilled and honored to be part of Miss America Organization’s long-standing partnership with IHOP and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Betty Cantrell. “I am a big believer in doing what it takes to keep our nation’s children healthy and happy, so any opportunity where I can help raise funds for children in need is so important to me, not only in my role as Miss America, but also as the official spokesperson for National Pancake Day 2016.”
Since its inception in 2006, IHOP has raised $20 million for charities within the communities in which each restaurant operates. Last year, National Pancake Day raised $3.5 million while giving away more than 6.6 million pancakes nationwide.
“We are excited to have Betty joining us as a spokesperson for National Pancake Day,” said Darren Rebelez, President, IHOP. “Each year, we are so grateful to work with the Miss America Organization and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. To be able to continue improving the lives of children is what makes National Pancake Day such a success year after year.”
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.
About International House of Pancakes, LLC
For over 57 years, International House of Pancakes, LLC has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items as well as meals under 600 calories. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of September 30, 2015, there were 1,667 IHOP restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam as well as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and the Philippines. 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, a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, is the nation’s leading advocate for women’s education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually. The Miss America Organization is comprised of 52 licensed organizations, including all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Miss America contestants contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised over $13 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007.