National Root Beer Float Day is approaching and at least one Bridgeport business is observing. From 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Courtyard by Marriott in White Oaks is hosting the second annual Root Beer Float Day to raise money for WVU Medicine Children’s Miracle Network.

 

“The Marriott brand has been associated with Children’s Miracle Network for years and sends notifications to each Marriott property every year, blocking off the entire week around National Root Beer Float Day which is Aug. 6 and encouraging each to pick a day,” said Samantha Coleman, sales coordinator for Courtyard by Marriott.

 

Last year was the first year the White Oaks Marriott took part, serving root beer floats for donation and all proceeds benefiting WVU Children’s Miracle Network. The Hash Browns & New Grounds food truck was also part of the event, a portion of sales also donated to the cause.

 

“We raised $600 in 2017 and wanted to make the event bigger – and raise more money – this year,” Coleman said.

 

In addition to the main attraction on the hospital courtyard and concessions by Hash Browns & New Grounds, “Miss Tea Cup” will be on hand to provide face painting and Anna from “Frozen” will be available 2-3 p.m. for meet and greets.

 

“We’ll also have crafts set up where kids can make cards and bracelets and actually send them to kids at WVU Children’s Hospital,” Coleman said. “And we’ll have various vendors set up in our meeting room with 10 percent of all sales going to WVU Children’s.”

 

Donation buckets will be placed throughout the event.

 

Coleman, who serves as chairperson for Root Beer Float Day and other community service efforts, said Marriott has a history with root beer, thus the connection.

 

“That is actually how Marriott started – as a root beer stand. It was the first thing he and his wife opened was and the company evolved from there,” said Coleman about the 1927 business venture of J. Willard Marriott.

 

WVU Medicine Children’s treated 98,000 women and children in 2017 and currently has 110 children plus 11 NICU babies hospitalized. Patients’ needs are great and ongoing and events such as Marriott’s Root Beer Float Day help in a big way, said Ashley Olcak, special program and corporate campaign director, CMN, WVU Medicine Children’s.

 

“These events are extremely important to us because they make sure funds are used where they are needed the most,” she said. “Children’s Miracle Network funds are unrestricted, meaning when an organization raises money for us, it comes directly to the hospital and we use it for the greatest need whether that be equipment, research, sippy cups for kids, DVDs, etc. We can purchase it right then and there.”

 

WVU Medicine Children’s strives to keep families in need of medical attention close to home.

 

“There are clinics and community hospitals in every state and region,” Olcak said. “WVU Medicine wants to keep kids in West Virginia and get specialized care right here.”

 

A list of vendors participating in Root Beer Float Day at Courtyard by Marriott in White Oaks is as follows: Mountain Oak Candle Company, Paparazzi Accessories, House on the Hill Soap Company, Lipsense, Color Street Nails, Scentsy, Thrive, Lilla Rose Hair Accessories, Artworks, Miss Tea Cup and Hash Browns and New Grounds.