Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Words & Wisdom to feature ‘Hamilton’ star Miguel Cervantes | 8@4
Miguel Cervantes, known for his standout performance as Alexander Hamilton in “Hamilton: An American Musical on Broadway”
Miguel Cervantes, best known for his standout performance as Alexander Hamilton in “Hamilton: An American Musical” on Broadway, will serve as the keynote speaker on Thursday, April 23, at the ninth annual Words & Wisdom. Held at the Dewey Gottwald Center for the Sciences and presented by the Senior Board of Children’s Hospital Foundation, the event benefits Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Cervantes, who was handpicked by “Hamilton” creator and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda to take over the role of Alexander Hamilton, will be speaking at the fundraiser about his own remarkable journey through his young daughter’s battle with epilepsy. The evening of musical entertainment will also include a live and silent auction, live music, a wine pull and more. There will even be a roaming George Washington talking to guests throughout the evening, as well as “Hamilton” decorations on tables.
All of the event’s proceeds will help support pediatric care, specialized therapies and programs such as the Child Life Zone at the hospital. The event has raised more than $1 million in the past eight years, with proceeds supporting the hospital’s expansion of its NICU unit, a 24-bed acute care unit and the improved Family Resource Center.
Robin Schilling, president of the CHF Senior Board, said this year’s funding priorities range from helping to establish a new orthopedic surgery outpatient pod and opening a new acute care unit to enhancing the Child Life Zone’s play space with age-appropriate activities. Some of the activities include video game stations and a 3D printer for older patients and an interactive light wall and playhouse for the younger ones.
“It’s amazing to see how far we have come with this event. We started out as a lady’s luncheon years ago and raised $40,000,” Schilling said. “We just continue to grow. This year, our goal is $400,000. Another wonderful aspect about the event is the keynote presentations. They are so heartfelt, as many listening in the room have had children of their own as patients at Children’s — my son, included — or know of someone who did. That’s why we are there.”
In fact, to draw more attention to the impact event attendees will have on children and families, Schilling said photographs of some of the hospital’s patients will be displayed on large poster boards throughout the event.
“Oftentimes when you donate money, you might feel it’s just going into a black hole. But when you can see the actual patients who the funds are helping, it makes it that much more special,” Schilling said. “Throughout the night, there are guests recounting their own stories of their child’s medical journey. It brings back a lot of memories for me, too. And while my family’s experience was many years ago, and my son is now married and healthy, it’s just a very emotional night.”
Cervantes’ presentation, titled, “The Power of Story & Song,” will include some of his behind-the-scenes stories from his nearly eight years of performing in the Chicago and Broadway companies of “Hamilton” and will reflect on his family’s personal experience with his young daughter’s epilepsy journey; Adelaide passed away at age 3. Cervantes will also focus on how art and performance served as a testament to resilience during his family’s most challenging times.
Schilling said an exciting array of auction items at the event include everything from a Caribbean vacation and a Wine Day & Stay in Charlottesville to a Low Country Boil for 20 and myriad gift certificates and other items.
While the event is sold out, individuals can still register for a spot on the waitlist or participate in the silent auction. For more information, please visit chfwisdom.org.
