UPDATE on 5/17/22: The McConnell Foundation today announced additional information on their upcoming black tie gala. Attendees can enjoy dinner catered by Church & Union and drinks from bars featuring spirits, wine, and beer from notable sponsors including Tito's, Beyond Distilling, Boone's Bourbon, New Realm Brewing, Holy City Brewing, Charleston Wine Co., and Wine & Company.
Local musicians Seth G (playing out on the patio) and Chris Dodson (playing inside) will perform during cocktails and dinner, while DJ Luke Versalko will keep people dancing as the evening continues.
In addition guests will have the chance to bid on a variety of auction items including two tickets to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a six-night stay at a private villa in the British Virgin Islands, and a staycation with the Grand Bohemian, Church & Union, and Tempest Charleston.
Tickets are available for purchase at event.gives/mcconnell.
Those interested in sponsoring or donating an auction item, can contact Jen McConnell at jen@chsestates.com.
—Original Post Below—
Charleston-based nonprofit The McConnell Foundation will host their first black tie gala benefiting pediatric cancer research on June 18th, 2022 at Harborside East from 6 pm to 10:30 pm. Those in attendance can enjoy food, live music, an open bar, and participate in a live auction.
Jen and Josh McConnell, who co-own McConnell Real Estate Partners, were inspired to found The McConnell Foundation in 2021 after their son, Bodhi, survived a Stage 3 Neuroblastoma diagnosis when he was five months old. At the head of Bodhi's lifesaving team is Dr. Jacqueline Kraveka, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist at MUSC. Dr. Kraveka spearheads the only research laboratory in South Carolina dedicated to pediatric cancer. The McConnell Foundation is dedicated to raising money to support Dr. Kraveka's pediatric cancer research being performed right here in Charleston and shared nationally.
“We thank God and the staff of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) for Bodhi's recovery,” Jen said. “We're motivated every day to raise funds so other families can experience the same miracle.”
The McConnells also give a portion of every commission at their real estate agency to the cause, and the couple was grateful to be able to donate just over $75,000 the last two years, with a goal of donating an additional $100,000 by the end of 2022.
Tickets for the event will go on sale Tuesday, March 29th, 2022. This date marks the anniversary of the end of Bodhi's fight against cancer, and to celebrate, tickets purchased on Tuesday will be offered at a special rate of $125 (originally $195 – enter code “Bodhi” when purchasing). For more information and to purchase tickets to the event, visit https://event.gives/mcconnell.
Those interested in donating an item to the live or silent auction or sponsoring the event can email Jen McConnell – jen@chsestates.com .
