December 6, 2012

Lady Antebellum members create child health foundation

Grammy award-winning country music group Lady Antebellum has launched a new charitable initiative called LadyAID, a philanthropic effort created to bring awareness to and generate support for children in need locally, nationally and globally.

Lady Antebellum members, from left, Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley, pose with 3-year-old Makenna Bilbrey during a recent visit to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. (photo by Anne Rayner)

Grammy award-winning country music group Lady Antebellum has launched a new charitable initiative called LadyAID, a philanthropic effort created to bring awareness to and generate support for children in need locally, nationally and globally.

The multi-level organization will award grants to help children throughout Tennessee, including to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

On a national level, the fund will support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and on a global level, myLIFEspeaks and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The LadyAID Fund is a component fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

LadyAID will be funded by donations and fundraising efforts including the trio’s inaugural “Ping Pong and Songs” event. Inspired by a combination of the band’s favorite backstage hobby and their love of songwriting, the event will be held in early 2013.

The music trio also has a holiday concert television special that began airing on Wednesday, Dec. 5, on Great American Country (GAC). The group sings holiday classics from their new Christmas album “On This Winter’s Night.” The program includes special footage of the group’s visit to Children’s Hospital.

Additional air times for the Lady Antebellum special: Saturday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 16, at 9 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 10 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m.; and Christmas Day at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.