Christine Wilson’s Story
In the early morning hours of Palm Sunday April 13, 2003, an arsonist set fire to a house in the University District of Columbus, OH, taking the life of 19-year-old Ohio University student Christine Wilson and four others.
Christine was a kind and compassionate young woman who cared deeply for children and hoped to work with them in her career path, teaching and improving their lives.
Christine Wilson’s Story
Christine Wilson Foundation
Within a short period of time after her death, a few of Christine’s neighbors and the Wilson family formed a charitable, nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation in Christine’s memory. They wanted to turn the tragedy into something positive for the community – and they wanted to do it in Christine’s name. With that, The Christine Wilson Foundation was born. The Christine Wilson Foundation has supported several local causes over the years, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital Burn Center, The Childhood League of Columbus, Miracle League, Willow Ridge Therapeutic Riding Facility, The Manger Store thru the Journey Church in Dublin, OSU Hospital Burn Unit, Christie’s Place, Bishop Watterson, St. Brendan School, and Wexner’s Children’s Concert. The Christine Wilson Foundation’s most noteworthy fundraiser is Christine’s Christmas.
Although Christine has passed, her dreams and legacy continue to impact the community through Christine’s Christmas. For 19 years Christine’s Christmas has raised money to support local children’s charities. In 2010, after supporting Nationwide Children’s Hospital for two years, the Board of Christine’s Christmas committed to raising $500,000 in seven years for the naming rights of the hospital’s burn center. In 2015, two years ahead of schedule, The Christine Wilson Burn Unit became a reality.
Christine’s Christmas Story
The Christine Wilson Burn Center
A longstanding beneficiary of The Christine Wilson Foundation is The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Burn Center. This burn program provides the highest level of care for thermally injured children and adolescents in Central Ohio. The Christine Wilson Foundation has donated more than $500,000 to the program, impacting the lives of countless local children.
In 2013, the Christine Wilson Burn Center was dedicated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
In 2016, Christine’s dream of impacting the lives of children and Dr. King’s vision to do so through music, entered into a new phase where the concert event proceeds benefitted Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to support wish granting in Central Ohio.
December, 2017 – Wish kid Anna celebrates her “One True Wish” with Laura King, Carolyn King, and Willie Grove as Mark King plays during the Christine’s Christmas Concert.