Handbags, Heels & Horsepower, November 15th

A room full of women who love fashion and want to make a difference.  Handbags. Heels. Mimosas. Breakfast. The newest vehicle models. Syndicated radio host, podcaster and best-selling author, Sheri Lynch.  We love this new kind of charity morning the Charlotte Auto Show (CAS) will be hosting in just 2 weeks with proceeds benefiting rare pediatric cancer research. 

We hope you will join us at Handbags, Heels & Horsepower at the Charlotte Convention Center on Thursday, November 15th, 9-11:30am.  Over 30 high-end handbags and heels will be up for raffle on the showroom floor of the Charlotte Auto Show.  You will have the opportunity to enjoy mimosas or cups of coffee while perusing the selection of retail options and beautiful new vehicles.  

A fun morning with friends as you try and snag that must-have bag, all while making an impact on kids fighting cancer in our Charlotte region.  You will see brands like Gucci, Saint Lurent, Manola Blahnik, Chloe, Rebecca Minkoff, Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade and more.

Tickets include: 

  • Admission
  • One raffle ticket
  • Free parking at the NASCAR Hall of Fame (arrive early, parking will be based on availability)
  • Beverages & breakfast.  

But make sure to increase your odds of winning that coveted handbag or heel and  purchase additional raffle tickets.  If purchased prior to November 15th, raffle tickets will be available for pick up during check-in of Handbags, Heels & Horsepower with your name/number already written on them. Believe us… that will be a huge time saver for you!

PURCHASE TICKETS & PRE-PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS

“I know I speak for all our local dealers in the Greater Charlotte Auto Dealers Association that we are all very proud and excited to add a new dimension of fun and giving to the annual Charlotte Auto Show.This year, we are introducing Handbags, Heels & Horsepower.Women influence more than 80% of the car buying decisions nationwide and we’re excited to have a charity event designed specifically with them in mind.We are equally excited that our charity partner for the first ever Handbags, Heels & Horsepower breakfast is the Isabella Santos Foundation.ISF is a major force locally in raising awareness and funding for treatment of rare pediatric cancer in our region.” -Jim Keffer, harlotte Auto Show Chairman

Isabella Santos Foundation 5K and 10K for Kids Cancer Raises $225,000

The Isabella Santos Foundation announced that its 11th Annual 5K/10K for Kids Cancer and 1-Mile Fun Run has raised $225,000.

Three thousand people participated in this year’s race that took place on Sept. 29 in Ballantyne Corporate Park. The family-friendly event also featured a post-race festival that included: a Kids Fun Zone with games, face painting, slides, jump house and photo booth; food and refreshments; activity booths; and a silent auction and raffle. Brighthouse Financial served as the presenting sponsor. The following is a link to additional event sponsors.

“Huge thanks to all who joined us for our annual 5K and 10K for Kids Cancer! The event was a big success and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Isabella’s life and raise funds for pediatric cancer research,” said Erin Santos, Executive Director and President of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “We appreciate our generous sponsors and dedicated staff, volunteers, participants and spectators for supporting Isabella’s dream of a world with no more cancer.”

About Isabella Santos Foundation

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)3 childhood cancer foundation dedicated to raising funds for research for neuroblastoma, other rare pediatric cancers, and charities that directly impact the lives of children with cancer. ISF was founded in honor of Isabella Santos from Charlotte, N.C. who lost her battle against neuroblastoma. ISF works to improve rare pediatric cancer treatment options in an effort to improve the survival rate of kids with cancer. For more information, visit www.isabellasantosfoundation.org  or follow ISF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IsabellaSantosFoundation), Instagram (www.instagram.com/theisfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheISFoundation)

Big Heroes Come In Small Packages

Madison and mom Laura

*UPDATE 2/25: After almost a year ago of being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare pediatric cancer, Madison received the news she has been fighting so hard for at her 3 months scan. She beat cancer. She will continue to have maintenance scans and therapy on her leg, but was able to ‘Ring the Bell’ at Levine Children’s Hospital signifying the end of her treatment and beginning of living life cancer free!

Oh, and she got a puppy! Oakley, a black Goldendoodle!

Madison was diagnosed this past April with osteosarcoma at age five. After several rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor on her femur, she had surgery to remove her right femur and replace it with one from a cadaver. Fortunately, the medical team was able to remove most of the tumor and save both of Madison’s growth plates. She continues to receive chemotherapy and recover from her surgery. Once Madison gets the green light from her doctors to be more mobile, she is determined to learn to walk again so she can earn a super cute bribe from her parents – a Golden Retriever puppy. 

A Community of Support

Madison and her family live two hours from Charlotte in Scotland County. She and her mom make the drive each week to Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital where Madison receives in-patient treatment Thursday-Saturday. They then return home for four days to be with their family – Madison’s dad, Michael, and big sister, Riley – and where Laura teaches three days a week. 

“Madison’s diagnosis has changed us all,” says Laura. “Michael and I have to raise each of our daughters as single parents during the days when we are in Charlotte for treatment. The hardest part is not being together under the same roof. We are very grateful for the great friends we have made through this journey. You realize you can’t do this alone so you learn to rely on support from others.”

Chef Madison

Team Madison

For the remainder of the year, Madison will be homebound where she loves to cook, bake, do crafts and make “how-to” videos on her mom’s phone. When she finishes chemo in December, she’ll resume her favorite activities including: dance classes, swimming and learning how to ride her bike.

In January, she will start kindergarten at the school where Laura teaches and where they already have a tremendous community of support. Faculty and students have created “Team Madison” in honor of Madison for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Scotland County. Laura and Madison stay busy supporting the team. It all started with their Levine Children’s Hospital life coach bringing them some beads to make necklaces and bracelets. From there, Laura and Madison started making “Madison’s Hope Rope” key chains that they give to patients at Levine Children’s Hospital and sell to raise funds for their Relay For Life team and other cancer organizations. 

“Madison is our hero and is such an inspiration,” says Laura. “She’s such a good kid and is all about wanting to help other people. Even though she’s five, she’s changing people’s lives.”

Madison and sister Riley

Beer = Community Cheer!

Community is our future.  When our community comes together, that’s when a difference is truly made. Community is everything.  People.  Businesses.  Families.  Organizations.  We all become one.  Together.  NoDa Brewing Company,2018 ISF Sustaining Sponsor, sets the example.

NoDa Brewing Company always strives to bring the highest quality beer to our community.  But even more than that, they strive to make a difference in our community.

  • You Drink, We Donate.  NoDa Brewing Company supports over 100+ charities throughout the year, and one way they do this is by donating $1 per pint every Monday.
  • Fundraising for Free.  NoDa allows nonprofits to host fundraising events for free in their tap room. Drink a beer and learn about how you can give back! 
  • Beer Bonus.  NoDa also opens their hearts by featuring special beers that continuously give back to specific charities.  Pssst . . . . have you tried the NoDa Margarita Gose that benefits ISF?  

“Todd and I have four kids and cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to have one of them, or our granddaughter, get diagnosed with cancer.  We’re happy to do anything we can to support families that are battling this terrible disease and hopefully finding a cure one day.” – Suzie Ford, Founder and President NoDa Brewing Company

So we say CHEERS to NoDa Brewing Company!  Beer = Community Cheer!