About The Checkered Ball

The brainchild of Puddin Foil and Jo Eng of Concord, N.C., The Checkered Ball  held its inaugural event in 1992 at the Speedway Club at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  Since then, The Checkered Ball has grown to be one of area's premier black-tie events, attended by over 400 guests annually.

To date, The Checkered Ball has raised over $2.9 Million for such worthy organizations as: The Brain Injury Association of N.C., 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 the event have been able to dine, dance and mingle with many local and national sports, TV and film celebrities.

Two important highlights of each year's event include the presentation of the 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 to 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.

Previous 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.

Thunder Warriors Honor Blanket Award

The Thunder Warriors believe in the old 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.

Previous recipients of the Honor Blanket

Philip L. Van Every Foil

Beth Callahan

Jim Lippard

Kathleen "Kacky" Hammond

Lee Anne Barry & The B.I.G. Ride