CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Any hospital stay can be challenging, especially for children needing medical attention during the holidays.
That's why Miguel Fuller and Holly O’Connor, morning radio hosts on iHeart's HITS 96.1, tried to make a difference for those patients and their families. The hosts spent two days broadcasting from a special radio studio at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital to raise money and holiday cheer.
On Wednesday, Miguel & Holly's Miracle Makers Radiothon had an early start for the return of its second year.
"The feels have already started before 7 a.m.," the hosts said on social media Tuesday.
Radio listeners were encouraged to call in and make a monthly donation of $15 or more. Those who donated joined the army of "Miracle Makers" helping sick and injured kids.
This year, Miguel and Holly were happy to announce the people behind Charlotte's Wells Fargo Championship would be matching each donation — but that's where Miguel and Holly were kept in the dark about one key secret.
On Thursday night, at the end of the two-day radiothon, a representative from the Wells Fargo Championship showed up with an extra big check.
The Wells Fargo Championship not only matched donations from radio listeners but also donated an extra $300,000.
When the check was presented from Wells Fargo, Miguel and Holly were practically speechless. "That's insane," Holly said, as tears of joy streamed down her face.
"We are grateful to our listening family, our volunteers, and our community for continuing to support the life changing work done every day at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital,” A.J., the senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia Charlotte, said. “It’s an honor to leverage our platform and unite our listeners, community and client partners with this selfless organization raising money for local kids and making a difference.”
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