Inaugural KiteTales event raises funds to help Charlotte youth find success

July 8, 2016

Youth Villages’ inaugural KiteTales: Stories that Soar event at the Mint Museum Uptown raised more than $50,000 to help youth aging out of foster care in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The evening featured stories from musician and New York Times best-selling author Jimmy Wayne and Tristin, a participant in YVLifeSet, a Youth Villages program helping youth aging out of foster care find long-term success. Nan Gray, regional marketing director for Sprint, and Ramona Holloway, co-host of the Matt & Ramona Show, were also on hand to help emcee the event.

“Even though others [my family] might not see me as a great person, there are a thousand other people that approve of you. Youth Villages taught me that I can be a great person,” Tristin said.

At the close of the evening, Youth Villages North Carolina presented Jimmy Wayne the inaugural KiteTales Award to recognize him for his work with foster children throughout the country and particularly in his home state of North Carolina.

Youth Villages is grateful for the generous support of Coca-Cola Consolidated and Piedmont Natural Gas as lead sponsors of the event.

“Coca-Cola Consolidated is proud to support Youth Villages as they aim to help every youth aging out of foster care in Charlotte,” said Dave Katz, senior vice president, Coca-Cola Consolidated.

“Youth Villages and YVLifeSet are providing one of the country’s best approaches to helping former foster care kids. Piedmont Natural Gas is honored to support their efforts and the KiteTales event,” said Timothy Greenhouse, managing director of community relations at Piedmont Natural Gas.

Learn more about Youth Villages’ work in North Carolina at youthvillages.org/nc.

Tristin shares her story of inspiration.

Jimmy Wayne, (center) is presented with the inaugural KiteTales Award by Annie Smith, state director of Youth Villages North Carolina, and Pat Lawler, chief executive officer, Youth Villages.

Lead Sponsors

In-Kind Sponsors
Boingo Graphics
Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts
Norman Sound & Productions
Party Reflections
Something Classic Catering & Daisy Catering
Whitewash Films