Christines Christmas Slated for December 5 to Benefit Nationwide Childrens Hospital

October 2, 2009

During the holidays, we reflect on our loved ones who have touched our hearts. Six years ago, Christine Wilson and four of her friends perished in a tragic fire near the campus of The Ohio State University. To honor her precious life, the 6th annual Christines Christmas will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 5, at Dublin Jerome High School.

Christine had a passion for bettering the lives of those around her, particularly children, and this special charity concert keeps that passion and her memory alive. The event benefits the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, which through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals that provide assessment, long term treatment and support, research, prevention and advocacy, assists abused children and victims of domestic violence.

The concert features pianist Mark King who, inspired by his friend Christine, records and performs Christines Christmas. He is joined on stage by special guest choirs, vocal soloists and a variety of musical talent.

The performance is followed by an 8:30 p.m. reception at Muirfield Village Golf Club that features hors doeuvres, a buffet of tempting desserts and cash bar. In addition, guests can finish their holiday shopping by taking part in the silent auction that includes a variety of items ranging from artwork and landscaping packages to sports memorabilia and spa gift certificates.

Reservations are $50 for adults and $20 for students. To make reservations, please visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/ChristinesChristmas or call (614) 355-0810.

The Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Childrens Hospital is an innovative partnership between Nationwide Childrens and the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence. The centers mission is to transform the way the community responds to family violence. The Center accomplishes this work through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals that provide assessment, long term treatment and support, research, prevention and advocacy. Housed in a facility on the campus of Nationwide Childrens, the Center is the first of its kind in the nation to fully integrate services for child abuse and family violence under one roof. Additional information on the Center can be found at www.NationwideChildrens.org/CCFA.

The Christine Wilson Foundation was formed to honor the memory of Christine Wilson who, on April 13, 2003, perished in a tragic fire near The Ohio State University campus along with four friends. Her family and friends honor Christines love of giving through the Christine Wilson Foundation. The Foundations mission is to provide annual scholarships to incoming freshmen planning to attend Bishop Watterson High School and to reach to other Columbus community charities involving children. Additional information on the Foundation can be found at www.christinewilsonfoundation.org.

About Nationwide Children's Hospital

Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs, as well as prioritizing quality and safety, are part of what allows Nationwide Children’s to advance its unique model of care. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 14,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.7 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.