15 Mar Madelyn’s Fund Board Member Alston Mann Wins Judges’ Choice at Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte
Madelyn’s Fund is proud to celebrate board member Alston Mann and Charlotte Ballet’s Samantha Riester for an incredible performance at the 13th Annual Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Gala.
Held on March 7, the annual gala raised an impressive $1,836,125 to support the Charlotte Ballet and six local charities, including Madelyn’s Fund.
The event featured an exciting competition between six corporate and community leaders who spent months fundraising while also rehearsing and perfecting a creative dance routine with their professional Charlotte Ballet partners.
A Winning Performance
One of the standout moments of the evening came when Alston took the stage alongside Charlotte Ballet professional dancer Samantha Riester. Their energetic and entertaining routine earned the pair the coveted Judges’ Choice Award, recognizing both their performance and their dedication throughout the competition.
“We did it. We brought home the Win. Thank you to everyone for all the support leading up to and during the performance. I could feel the love on stage,” Alston shared following the event. “And a special thanks to Samantha Riester, the best dancer, choreographer, and security blanket that a budding star could ask for.”
Dancing with Purpose
While the trophy was exciting, the most meaningful outcome of the evening was the support generated for families in need.
Alston and his wife, Jessie, have both served on the Madelyn’s Fund Board of Directors and event committees for several years. Their involvement was inspired by their own family’s journey when their daughter, Haynes, was born prematurely at 32 weeks and spent nearly six weeks in the NICU.
For many families, being present in the NICU comes with financial strain and impossible decisions. Through financial assistance and compassionate support, Madelyn’s Fund helps ensure families can remain by their baby’s side during critical moments and provides care to those facing the unimaginable loss of an infant.
Inspired by this mission and their own experience, Alston’s participation in Dancing with the Stars made a remarkable impact, raising an incredible $71,546 to help Madelyn’s Fund continue supporting NICU families when they need it most.
Thank You for Supporting NICU Families
Madelyn’s Fund extends its heartfelt gratitude to Alston and Jessie Mann, Samantha Reister, the fellow Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte competitors, and everyone who donated, attended, and supported this incredible event. Because of their generosity, more NICU families will receive the financial assistance and compassionate support they need during some of life’s most difficult moments.
While the final dance has ended and the trophy has been awarded, the impact of this event will continue to be felt for years to come. Watch the video below to learn more about Alston and Samantha’s inspiring journey to the stage, and click here to read the full event recap from the Charlotte Ballet.
About Madelyn’s Fund
Madelyn’s Fund, established in 2016, is a Charlotte, NC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial support to infant and pediatric patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to families who experience the trauma of infant loss. The organization helps NICU families cover unexpected costs, including funeral expenses, offering critical assistance during times of need.
To learn more about Madelyn’s Fund, visit www.madelynsfund.org. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Zoë Maurer, Marketing Chair, at zoe@madelynsfund.org.
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