About The Checkered Ball

Founded in 1992 by Puddin Foil and Jo Eng of Concord, NC, The Checkered Ball has raised more than $2.9 Million for individuals living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and has grown to be one of regions premier black-tie events, attended by over 400 guests annually.

Recipient nonprofit organizations include:  The Brain Injury Association of North Carolina, The Brain Injury Association of America, The International Brain Injury Association, the National Brain Injury Research, Treatment & Training Foundation and Hinds' Feet Farm.

Over the years, guests of our black-tie gala have enjoyed fine dining, dancing and rubbing elbows with many national and local sports, television and film celebrities.

Highlights each year include the presentation of the prestigious Philip L. Lance Award and the Thunder Warriors Honor Blanket Award.

Philip L. Lance Award
Philip L. Lance, founder of Lance, Inc., was a man endowed with great vision, faith and confidence.  With great business sense, he created an industry destined to become a household name for millions of people. The Philip L. Lance Award for Public Awareness of Brain Injury was established to recognize an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the public awareness and recognition of brain injury

Recipients of the Philip L. Lance Award:
James and Sarah Brady
John Jane, MD
Senator Orin Hatch
Ricardo Martinez, MD
Martin B. Foil, Jr.
Graham M. Teasdale MD, FRCS
Congressman James C. Greenwood
Lance, Inc.
Ronald L. Hayes, PhD
Dame Anne-Lise Christiansen, PhD.
George A. Zitnay, PhD.
Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr.
Carolyn V.E. Foil

Thunder Warriors
Honor Blanket Award
The Thunder Warriors believe in theold Native American ways of how people should treat each other. Historically, warriors were the protectors of the people, as well as the providers for those who could not care for themselves. The Thunder Warriors seek to honor the unsung heroes who go out of their way to care for others.  An Honor blanket, a symbol of protection and safety, is given to recognize someone who has exceeded expectations in helping others.  The honor blanket is one of the highest compliments a warrior can receive and one of the biggest honors to bestow.

Recipients of the Honor Blanket Award
Philip L. Van Every Foil
Beth Callahan
Jim Lippard
Kathleen "Kacky" Hammond
Lee Anne Barry & The B.I.G. Ride
Brad Brock