During the holidays, we reflect on loved ones who have touched our lives and hearts. In 2003, Christine Wilson and four of her friends perished in a tragic arson near the campus of The Ohio State University. To honor her precious life, the 7th annual “Christine’s Christmas” will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 11, at Capitol Theatre at the Vern Riffe Center in downtown Columbus.
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 Children’s 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, recorded and performs Christine’s Christmas. He is joined on stage by special guests including vocalist Willie Grové, the Dublin Jerome High School A Cappella Choir, event emcee WBNS 10TV’s Chuck Strickler and a variety of musical talent.
The performance is followed by an 8:30 p.m. reception in the Capitol Theatre lobby overlooking the breathtaking view of the Capitol building with heavy hors d’oeuvres, a dessert buffet and cash bar. In addition, guests can finish their holiday shopping by taking part in a silent auction.
Reservations are $75 for adults and $25 for students/children. To make reservations, please visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/ChristinesChristmas or call (614) 355-0888.
The event features four leadership sponsors including ABCO Fire Protection, the Joseph Group, Tiffany & Co. and Dr. Bill Shiels. In addition, long time media sponsor, WBNS 10TV, is joined by CMH Magazine and Time Warner in helping with promotional efforts.
The Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is an innovative partnership between Nationwide Children’s and the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence. The center’s mission is to transform the way the community responds to family violence. It 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 Children’s, 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 Christine’s love of giving through the Christine Wilson Foundation. The Foundation’s 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.
Christines Christmas Slated for December 11 to Benefit Nationwide Childrens Hospital
November 15, 2010
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.