May 13, 2008

Big Ten Network ~ Free Purdue Boilermakers Video

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue women's basketball junior, Lauren Mioton is giving back to her hometown with more than just Boilermaker pride. The New Orleans, La., native raised $8,200 through sales of her "Live to Eat" cookbook to support the Save Our Coast Campaign. The funds raised have been sent to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.

The "Live to Eat" cookbook is comprised of 250 unique recipes from Purdue alumnae, staff, supporters and local Louisiana residents. The book sold for $20 each and has sold a total of 547 copies. The total profit of $8,200 will be donated to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation to support wetlands preservation efforts that are critical to protecting against the devastation that occurred during Hurricane Katrina.

"I am thrilled by the success of the Live to Eat Cookbook as a fundraising and awareness project," Mioton said. "Raising over $8,000 for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation is a true testament to the hard work of the BOILERmaker NETwork members, the Purdue staff and the good will of every person that bought a book. New Orleans and the Louisiana wetlands are passions of mine, so I want to thank everyone for realizing the impact this crisis could have on future generations and for embracing this fundraiser."

Mioton started her charity cook book in the fall of 2007 following a return home to Louisiana for the summer. She was struck by what little progress had been made since the Hurricane Katrina disaster and wanted to assist in the rebuilding process in a way that was more creative than just selling t-shirts.

Mioton teamed up with Purdue staff and the Purdue women's basketball booster group, the BOILERmaker NETwork, to help execute her charitable plans. The BOILERmaker NETwork handled orders and distribution while Mioton handled the creation of the cookbook, including designing the book's cover.

Mioton is a three-year member of the Purdue women's basketball team. She played in 32 of 34 games this season and started four. Throughout her high school and collegiate career she has volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and worked at local soup kitchens and food banks. As a junior in high school, she founded the Unity is Strength Girls Basketball Clinic.