On Thursday, June 20, Chickie Wah Wah, located at 2828 Canal St., New Orleans, LA, will host a special concert to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Hospital New Orleans’ Gun Safety Program. The event will feature performances by musicians Maggie Koerner and Shamarr Allen. Doors will open at 7 p.m., with performances scheduled for 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

This concert comes in response to the alarming statistic that guns are the leading cause of death for children under 18 in Louisiana and across the United States. Last year, Children’s Hospital New Orleans, in collaboration with the New Orleans Health Department, launched the Be SMART campaign. This national initiative aims to educate the community about responsible gun ownership to protect children and reduce firearm-related deaths and injuries among youth. The Be SMART program encourages parents and adults to have open conversations about gun safety and to take proactive steps in preventing child gun deaths.

The concert at Chickie Wah Wah is a significant effort to support this cause, with all proceeds going towards the Children’s Hospital’s Gun Safety Program. Tickets for the event are available in advance for $40 each and can be purchased at www.chnola.org/chickie or www.chickiewahwah.com.

Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center offering comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties. With more than 600 pediatric providers, the hospital serves Louisiana and the Gulf South, operating a network of specialty clinics across the region. In addition to its main campus in New Orleans, Children’s Hospital provides primary care services at 14 locations and via its Virtual Care for Kids program. As a member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based not-for-profit hospital system, Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving child health and safety across the region. More information about their services and programs can be found at chnola.org.