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35th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating Healthy Minds & Healthy Bodies
September 17 | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
35th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating Healthy Minds & Healthy Bodies
Poe Center for Health Education
Thursday, September 17, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Join the Board of Directors, staff, and friends of the Poe Center for Health Education as we celebrate 35 years of visionary health education in North Carolina.
Since opening our doors in 1991, the Poe Center has helped make our state healthier by empowering children, youth, and adults with the knowledge and confidence to build lifelong habits that support both mental and physical well-being.
Join us to celebrate 35 years of healthy minds and healthy bodies at the Poe Center!
35 Years of Healthy Minds & Healthy Bodies
What to Expect
During the evening, guests will enjoy:
• Access to our state of the art theaters and exhibits.
• Live cooking demonstrations by Chef Ryan Conklin, CEC, Director of Culinary & Nutritional Services, UNC Health Rex.
• The unveiling of a new Cranium Connection program, designed especially for middle and high school students.
• Beer from Trophy Brewing, wine, and a specialty cocktail made with honey from the Poe Center’s beehives.
• Delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres from Empire Eats.
Silent Auction
At the Poe Center, kids don’t just learn about health – they experience it, building the habits and confidence for a lifetime of wellness. To support our mission, several businesses and organizations have donated their services, sports tickets, and one-of-a-kind experiences to be auctioned off during our 35th anniversary celebration.
Help shape the next chapter of a healthier North Carolina by bidding on our silent auction items featured below.
The New Cranium Connection
Thanks to the generous support of Diana and Betsy Mead of the Mead Family Foundation, the Poe Center is introducing a second brain-science program designed specifically for middle and high-school students. “Cranium Connection: Part 2” follows teenagers through various scenarios, demonstrating how everyday choices influence brain development and empowering them to take charge of their mental well-being. Projection-mapping technology illuminates different regions of the brain as various activities engage them.
Explore the Cranium Connection
Explore the Cranium Connection now with the augmented-reality version.
Continue the Celebration
Saturday, October 10, 2026
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Poe Center for Health Education
Come to the Poe Center’s FREE community festival to celebrate health education and making healthy choices!
Become a Sponsor
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Email Development Senior Director Kim Whitley for more information.
Thank You to our Event Sponsors:
Ann & Thomas Rollins
Silent Auction Sponsor
Ben Geyer
Silent Auction Sponsor
Christine Kushner
Silent Auction Sponsor
Debbie Robbins
Silent Auction Sponsor
Denah Clark,
Fun Cool Wall Clocks
Silent Auction Sponsor
Matthew Rollins, Broker
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
York Simpson
Underwood Realty
Event Sponsor
Michelle Karaffa
Silent Auction Sponsor
Host Committee
Barden Culbreth
Elizabeth & Paul Fogleman
Lauren & Baker Freiberg
Kelly & David Greenlee
Anna & Sandy Hattaway
Eileen & Mike Hendren
Nancy & Sig Hutchinson
Katie & Trent Johnson
Megan & Sean Lumley
Helen & Bob Majors
Betsy Mead
Diana Mead
Blannie & Stacy Miller
Judy & Bill Poe
Brian Reid
Debbie & Larry Robbins
Elizabeth & Lee Singleton
William Tuegel
Mary G. Willoughby & Joe Morahan
Carole & Brad Wilson
Planning Committee
Megan Lumley, Co-Chair
Scott Manning, Co-Chair
Ann Rollins, Executive Director
Jennifer Grady
Abigail Quesinberry
Heather Reynolds
Jennifer Bell, Staff
Kim Whitley, Staff
Silent Auction Committee
Lauren Dickson
Tracey Fisher
Jennifer Grady
Callie Hammer, Staff
Renée Balyoz, Staff
