8th annual event, presented by PNC Bank, held at home of Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 4, 2022 – On Sat., April 2, the 8th Annual Levine Children’s Gala welcomed over 500 guests to Uptown Charlotte, raising over $1.86 million to benefit Atrium Health Levine Children’s. Everything was “big” about the evening, from the funds raised, to the entertainment, to the men’s college basketball playoff game that was screened during the festivities. The fundraiser was made possible by the generous support of many community sponsors – most notably, presenting sponsor PNC Bank.
Set against the backdrop of Uptown skyscrapers lit in “Atrium Health teal,” the gala was held at the home of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC – the first event of its kind to be hosted on the stadium field. The fundraiser was attended by national and local celebrities, athletes, philanthropists, community leaders and representatives of Atrium Health and Levine Children’s. Corporate supporters included PNC Bank, Rodgers Builders, The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC, Bank of America, Brighthouse Financial, Office Environments and Truist.
Atrium Health President and CEO Gene Woods welcomed a sold-out crowd of gala attendees, with help from nine-year-old cancer survivor Colin Case, and gave a special call-out to some of Levine Children’s biggest supporters – all of whom have invested tremendously in Levine Children’s: Sandra and Leon Levine; PNC Bank; Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC team owner David Tepper and his wife, Nicole; and Atrium Health Foundation board member and retired Carolina Panthers great Greg Olsen and his wife, Kara.
“As the founding presenting sponsor of this event, PNC shares Atrium Health’s passion for supporting underserved communities, including some of our region’s most vulnerable patients and their families,” said Weston Andress, PNC regional president for Western Carolinas. “We want every child to have the opportunity to thrive. Access to world-class healthcare is a key part of that growth, and we celebrate the local resource we have in Levine Children’s.”
Levine Children’s Medical Plaza offers more than 30 medical specialties outside the main hospital. Several children who have received care at the facility were featured throughout the evening, including kidney transplant patients Jordan and Luke Ocampo, who played a moving tribute on violin to honor their late mother.
Photos courtesy of Robin Yaggi and Andy Majors @ Goodstuff Creative
Inspired by the poignant stories of hope and resilience, gala attendees gave generously during the live and silent auction and the bid paddle raise. The celebration continued with a lively performance by Shaquille O’Neal, otherwise known as DJ Diesel, who brought the party with his signature style and beats. Simultaneously, guests had the opportunity to watch the historic NCAA Final Four game featuring two N.C. teams, which was broadcast on 32 screens throughout the event.
A big night with big wins – for all!
The Gala Committee included: Joclyn and John Balanda, Candy and Darren Bing, Stephanie and Howard Bissell, Janelle and Todd Collins, Monica and Armando Chardiet, Amy and Alfred Dawson, Mandy and Todd Houser, Emily and Tyler Johnson, Kara and Greg Olsen, Ana and Manuel Rey, Natalie and David Secrest, Tiffany and Scott Smith, Nazy and Durham Weeks, Amy and Martin Welton, and Joy and Hunter Widener.
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.
Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital is an award-winning hospital in Charlotte, NC, offering specialized pediatric medicine and 24-hour emergency care. Located on the main campus of Carolinas Medical Center, the 234-bed hospital is the most comprehensive facility of its type between Atlanta, Georgia and Washington D.C. Levine Children’s Hospital is also home to the Ricky Hendrick Centers for Intensive Care, which support pediatric intensive and cardiovascular surgery patients. Since opening in 2007, the hospital has grown to include more than 30 pediatric specialties and has consistently received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.”