Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Citadel makes donation to CHOP
Funds generated from summer country music festival, matching
EXTON >> “Thank you, Citadel!” Those words came from 8-year-old Grayson Savery, a six year patient of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Wednesday as Citadel presented the hospital with a $100,000 donation.
Half of the total — $50,000 — came from ticket sales and donations raised by the inaugural Citadel Country Spirit USA music festival held in Chester County in August. The remaining $50,000 was donated by Citadel as a corporate match.
In making the presentation Nov. 7, Citadel President & CEO Jeff March told company employees and invited guests, “we’re here today to celebrate the wonderful work that CHOP does.
“Thank you to everyone at CHOP for everything that you do each and every minute. Your hearts are in the right place, and we’re there with you,” he said.
Grayson’s mom, Jackie Savery, told the group that the 8-year-old has been a patient at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for six years — treated for a brain tumor and a traumatic lawn mower accident.
She said that every time she shares her son’s story — someone always seeks her out to share their own story about Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“There’s one theme that resonates — and that is the fact that hope lives at CHOP,” she said. “I want to thank you for providing the donations that CHOP needs to ensure that Grayson receives and continues to receive the lifesaving treatment he needs. Thank you for believing in hope.”
Citadel was the title sponsor for the Citadel Country Spirit USA music festival, which featured headliners Alabama, Toby Keith, and Brad Paisley and held at Ludwig’s Corner in Glenmoore Aug. 24 to Aug. 26.
In an interview Nov. 7, organizers of the event said they are looking to return to Chester County in 2019.
According to Alan Jacoby, executive producer of Impact Entertainment, organizers would like to bring the event back to Ludwig’s Corner if possible, but he stressed that final details are still being worked out.
“We’re in the process of discussions now,” Jacoby said. “We want to do it again, but haven’t finalized the deal. Our preference is to continue where we started.”
Jacoby added that they are looking beyond just a one year event.
“We’re building something with a partner like Citadel and giving back to the community like we did today with CHOP. Everything is pointing in a positive direction,” he said.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was also the beneficiary institution for Citadel Palooza, a music festival held in Pottstown in 2017, which featured Hunter Hayes.
Citadel’s relationship with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will continue and will expand, according to March. The company has signed on as presenting sponsor for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Walk on the Parkway in Philadelphia next fall.
March went on to talk about how it makes sense for Citadel to work with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“First of all, they are working in the same geographic area that we are. So they are right in our own greater Philadelphia community. They have renowned doctors and a great story to tell,” he said.
March said that there are “many worthy” organizations that ask for donations, adding that as a financial institution, Citadel looks for the ones that have the most return on investment.
“If I have a dollar to give, I want to give it to a place that can do the most with a dollar,” he said, adding that Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is one of those organizations.
Citadel board member Joe Glace, who has volunteered at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia three times a week for more than three years and is now a hospital ambassador, also spoke during the check presentation ceremony. He said his family has a unique bond with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“My daughter is a leukemia survivor. She was treated at CHOP in 2004,” he said. “It was earth shattering for us as a family. They just took such great care of our daughter. She is great today and we are so indebted to CHOP and so grateful.”
In addition to donating a portion of ticket sales, concert attendees made individual donations during the music festival.
The 2018 Citadel Country Spirit USA not only raised funds for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, according to a press release, but it also brought income to the local Chester County economy. The overall economic impact for Chester County from Citadel Country Spirit USA is estimated to be more than $3.5 million, based on data analyzed by Destinations International.