Rojas dons kilt to raise money for charity

Kilts are not typically found in a baseball clubhouse alongside bats, gloves and eye black. But Zephyrs Vice President and General Manager Cookie Rojas has taken to wearing a kilt in hopes of raising money for charity.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater New Orleans recently kicked off its Men In Kilts 2016 fundraiser, and Rojas is among the local men competing to "get their Gaelic on" and see who can elicit the most donations.

"It is an honor to be participating in Men In Kilts," Rojas said. "This is a fun way to bring awareness and money to a wonderful cause that helps families in times of need."

Donating through Rojas's page (Click here) will help RMHC do its part in providing a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children. Donations are accepted through credit cards and PayPal.

"We ask for $10 per donation, because that is what it costs families per night to stay at Ronald McDonald House," said Rachael Bissell, Events Coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater New Orleans. It costs the organization $68 per night in overhead, so they rely on volunteers and donations to continue its mission of helping children heal by keeping families close.

Men In Kilts was the brainchild of Ronald McDonald Houses in Indiana and Seattle. In its first year in New Orleans in 2015, more than $17,000 was raised.

"They had great success," said Bissell. "We used to host galas, but our market is so oversaturated with those types of events. This town goes all out for St. Patrick's Day with all of the parades and the events in the Irish Channel, so this is something unique but it still fits in with New Orleans."

The campaign lasts through April 16, when the "King of the Kilts" will be crowned at an awards party at The Irish House.