The Sandbox

In December of 2010, co-founders of The Sandbox, Mara Campolungo & Brian Dulin, banded together with a group of friends and colleagues to fulfill wish lists of families whose child was diagnosed with cancer and were patients of Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. After meeting the families they impacted, Mara and Brian knew that their work was not completed. There was so much more to do to serve families who were facing truly unimaginable circumstances.

In March of 2011, a Social Worker from Levine Children's Hospital approached Mara & Brian about producing a prom for kids impacted by cancer or life altering illness. They rest, as they say, is history! The Sandbox was officially formed in May of 2011 and on September 23rd, 2011, the inaugural An Evening of Believing℠ Prom was hosted at aria in Founders Hall, located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. On September 25th, 2015, we’ll proudly host our 5th Annual An Evening of Believing℠ Prom!

Since our formation, The Sandbox has expanded our programming to serve the critical and day-to-day needs of families whose child has cancer or life altering illness. Our programming includes Love Baskets℠, which are custom created totes that are packed with non-perishable food, household cleaning supplies, and personal items. Love Baskets℠ help families fulfill their most basic needs on a day-to-day basis, while helping to relieve financial strain. The Sandbox also engages in HopeFULL Holidays℠, which serves families with a combination of holiday-themed Love Baskets℠, as well as wish list fulfillment for the Honoree, siblings, and parents and/or caregiver that are affected by cancer of life altering illness.

More, 3-6-5 days a year, The Sandbox walks with families filling critical needs such as providing gas cards so families can drive to their child's treatments or appointments, providing grocery store gift cards to help families through tumultuous financial times, and providing necessities that families need to navigate their child’s diagnosis.

Equally as important, The Sandbox provides emotional support through the love and tender care from our volunteers, sponsors, community, and friends. Our goal is to provide the perfect combination of emotional and financial support so that families can singularly focus on their child's health.

To learn more about The Sandbox, our programming, the An Evening of Believing℠ Prom, or our volunteer opportunities, please visit www.GotSandbox.org. We also welcome you to connect with us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GotSandbox, on Twitter, @GotSandbox, or subscribe to our channel on YouTube, www.YouTube.com/GotSandbox.

Thank you for #BelievingBIG with us, and helping to provide crucial support families in the Carolinas who are facing cancer or life altering illness of their child! We appreciate your donation consideration so that we may continue to expand our programming and outreach to serve!