The 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Expands one of his Foundation’s marquee programs to Charlotte and will host fundraising event on January 11.
Carolina Panthers 13-year NFL veteran and All-Pro cornerback Charles Tillman has launched one of The Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation’s marquee programs, The Tiana Fund, to support Carolina HealthCare System’s Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. The Tiana Fund program, which is already actively supporting eight hospitals in Illinois, provides financial assistance to economically at-risk persons or families in-need to strengthen their ability to care for themselves, enhance their stability and security, and improve their quality of life and their ability to contribute to the community.
To date, The Tiana Fund has donated over $1 million to more than 300 families in-need in Illinois. Applications are only available through hospital social workers at the respective hospitals or through pre-approved community organizations. “Our goal with the Tiana Fund is to take away a stressor from already stressed families,” said Tillman. “The program holds very close to our hearts and my wife and I are very excited to expand it to families of patients at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.”
In 2015, over 85 percent of funds raised by The Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation directly support their ongoing programs, including the Tiana Fund. “We are humbled by the generous outreach and support of The Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation,” said Lynn Puma, a pediatric heart, liver, and kidney transplant social worker with Levine Children’s Hospital. “Our social workers identify and nominate families with the greatest need for assistance from The Tiana Fund to offer relief of worry and stress over bills and allow them to focus attention on their child, hope that things will be okay so that they can push forward to fight another day, and joy of being given an opportunity that they would not have had otherwise.”
To support the expanded program, Charles and Jackie Tillman will host a fundraising event entitled “Puttin’ on the Ritz” at the Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte the evening of January 11. The event will include a formal plated dinner, live band, auction items, and the opportunity to meet Tillman and other Panthers players throughout the evening. For additional information or to purchase tickets or sponsorship packages, click here.
About Charles Tillman and The Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation:
A 13-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2012), Charles “Peanut” Tillman is widely-renowned as one of the league’s top cornerbacks. He has started 161 of 165 career games and boasts 899 total tackles (763 solo), 125 pass deflections, 37 interceptions, 43 forced-fumbles, and 10 fumble recoveries. A decorated philanthropist, Tillman has been recognized around the league and country for his extensive work in the community. He is the 2013 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, a Salute to Service honoree (2012), the Ed Block Courage Award recipient (2009), and a three-time Brian Piccolo Award recipient (2003, 2008, 2012). Founded in 2005 by Charles and Jackie Tillman, The Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunities and resources to children and families in-need. Since its inception, the Foundation has impacted the lives of over 1 million children in the Chicago are alone. The Foundation has five main programs: Charles’ Locker, Field of Dreams, Holiday Celebration, TendHer Heart, and the Tiana Fund.
Media Contact: Melanie Wadden (Charles Tillman), Director of Public Relations, Select Sports Group – 713-993-4674 | mwadden@ssgfootball.com
Purchase tickets and sponsorship packages at www.charlestillman.org Money raised will benefit a new program launched at Levine Children’s Hospital.