CONCORD –  April 23-25, the Charlotte area “flipped” with youth gymnasts from an eight state region – North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee – who were in town for the “Queen City Crown.” This was the first officially sanctioned USA Gymnastics regional championship awarded to the Charlotte area and attracted over 900 gymnasts and their families to Concord and surrounding areas.

In addition to supporting youth gymnastics, proceeds from the “Queen City Crown” helped support Children’s Miracle Network which locally benefits Levine Children’s Hospital. This philanthropic component was orchestrated by a young woman seeking a “crown” of her own. 

Mikhaila Leinbach, Miss Gastonia 2010, approached Piedmont Gymnastics Organization about co-coordinating the meet as a way to volunteer her time and raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. Leinbach is committed to community service and will compete for the Miss North Carolina crown this summer. She is a student at Columbia University but returned home to volunteer at the competition. She was also successful at convincing 100% of participating vendors to donate to Children’s Miracle Network.  “I’m excited to be able to help with this event. My community service platform is Volunteerism To Help Children Grow --- Body and Soul. Using a youth gymnastics event to fundraise for Children’s Miracle Network seemed like a natural fit in helping children grow and live healthy lifestyles,” said Leinbach.

Debby Kornegay, the Region 8 Administrative Committee Chairman of USA Gymnastics, is thrilled with the new charitable connection. “As coaches and teachers, I believe it is very important that we teach our children about donating to charities.  They need to learn that each of us has a responsibility to care for those who are less fortunate, and that giving can be the greatest blessing of all.”

The competition, hosted by Piedmont Gymnastics Organization (PGO), was held at Cabarrus County Arena and Event Center. On the final day of competition, PGO presented Children’s Miracle Network with a $10,000 donation. “I was truly and pleasantly surprised at the $10,000 check we were presented with Sunday afternoon, said local Children’s Miracle Network director, Mark Griffith. “This gift will be very much appreciated and put to good use.”

Piedmont Gymnastics Organization (PGO) is the parent booster club for the competitive team of Southeastern Gymnastics. Their mission is to support and promote youth gymnastics and healthy lifestyles in Charlotte and surrounding areas. PGO is a 501c3  organization.

Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) impacts more children than any other children's organization in the world. In our own community, through the generous efforts of local and national corporate sponsors, Children’s Miracle Network raises more than $2 million annually to benefit Levine Children's Hospital.

One of 170 affiliate CMN Hospitals, Levine Children’s Hospital is a 234-bed hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, located on the main campus of Carolinas Medical Center. Just two years after opening, the hospital has grown to include more than 30 pediatric specialties and has already received national distinction by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” for treatment of kidney disorders. Levine Children’s Hospital is the most comprehensive facility of its type between Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC – meaning most children no longer need to travel outside of the region to receive the
care they need.