Renown Health Foundation and local community members raised over $1,000,000 at a charity concert with The Beach Boys and special guest NFL legend Steve Young, on Sunday, June 5, at Montreux Golf and Country Club. The event benefits the construction of Sophie’s Place, a new dedicated music therapy room coming to Renown Children’s Hospital.
Over 500 donors attended the inaugural event hosted by radio personality Wink Martindale. The Beach Boys front man Mike Love, a Nevada resident, generously auctioned off two once-in-a-lifetime, private concerts bringing in $300,000. Steve Young auctioned off a Monday Night Football package and ZLINE Kitchen and Bath auctioned off a kitchen remodel. The proceeds raised will be transformative for Sophie’s Place and will impact children in our community for years to come.
“I’m thankful to Renown and other children’s hospitals that are dedicating space, precious space, for Sophie’s Place,” says Steve Young, founder ofForever Young Foundation and co-founder of Sophie’s Place.
What is Sophie’s Place?
Sophie’s Place is a dedicated music therapy room in children’s hospitals across the country. Founded by the Forever Young Foundation and former San Francisco 49'ers quarterback, Steve Young, they provide a comprehensive music and healing arts program.
Established in loving memory of musician Sophie Barton, the first Sophie’s Place opened in 2013 at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Additional locations include Sutter Children’s Center in Sacramento, CA., Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, AZ., Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, CA., and Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. Renown Children’s Hospital will be the next location to break ground and will provide our youngest patients with a state-of-the-art music room. It will be the first of its kind in our community.
“Sophie’s Place is a wonderful addition to what a hospital has to offer,” says Dr. Max Coppes, Pediatrics Chair, UNRSOM.
Where will Sophie’s Place be Located?
Sophie’s Place at Renown Children’s Hospital will be located on the ground floor of the Sierra Tower, next to The John & Sue Dermody Children’s Healing Garden. The family-centered space is designed for children to enjoy the healing aspects of music and encourage creativity and expression during their stay.
“We really wanted kids to feel like they’re not in the hospital. It’s a place where they can escape,” says Barb Young, Founder of Forever Young Foundation and Co-founder of Sophie’s Place.
The room includes a performance space, recording studio, musical instruments, editing software and an art and play area.
“When you walk into a Sophie’s Place, you really feel like you’ve left the hospital and walked into a cool coffee shop,” says Sterling Tanner, President, Executive Director, Forever Young Foundation.
How You Can Help Make a Difference
Renown Health is focused on being the destination for all your family’s health and healthcare needs. As a not-for-profit health system, Renown relies heavily on community funding. If you are interested in supporting Sophie’s Place at Renown Children’s Hospital, please consider giving to Renown Health Foundation.
- Make a gift at renown.org/give
- Call Renown Health Foundation at 775-982-5545
- Mail a check to Renown Health Foundation, 1155 Mill St., 02, Reno, NV 89502
