Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppler accepts check from Rite Aid for Children's Miracle Network

NEW YORK — Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppler was on hand at the Rite Aid store in New York's Grand Central Terminal Friday to accept a check from the retail pharmacy chain for the Children's Miracle Network.

Rite Aid's New York stores raised $348,880 for the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York through a Miracle Balloon campaign, including $7,000 raised by the Grand Central store. Rite Aid has been raising money for the organization since 1994.

Also appearing were 11-year-old leukemia survivor Molly Guarton and her grandfather, Bill Hatziyianis, of Long Island. Following the event, Kaeppler signed autographs and posed for photographs with employees, customers and fans.

Kaeppler was announced as the Children's Miracle Network's goodwill ambassador shortly after her crowning as Miss America 2012 in January.