BALTIMORE, MD - On April 24, 2026, a celebratory and generous group of community supporters from around the Baltimore area gathered for the 11th Annual Storybook Gala. The event, benefiting Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (MWPH), raised $773,000.
Presented by the Weinman Family (Mandy, Dennis, Dillon and Benjamin), The Very Hungry Caterpillar themed event welcomed nearly 400 guests, including corporate sponsors, health-care leaders, longtime friends of the hospital, and MWPH board members. These funds will support the hospital’s mission to help young patients heal and return to where they belong—home with their family and friends.
“At Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, we care for the whole child—including their hopes, dreams, and the well-being of their families,” said Dr. Scott Klein, President and CEO of MWPH. “The strong turnout reflects the extraordinary generosity of Baltimore’s philanthropic community. Their support makes it possible for us to help children with complex medical needs heal and grow, and to invest in meaningful enhancements—like a new sensory space—that improve comfort, care, and outcomes for our patients.”
The event took place at the Owings Mills Marriott Metro Centre in Baltimore County and included a cocktail reception, dinner and dancing, silent auction, diamond raffle, live auction, and a special sensory space appeal. The gala was chaired by Kate Cohen, longtime volunteer and former patient parent.
“The evening was spectacular, with guests arriving in vibrant attire that embraced the theme, and the Weinman family truly stole the show with their stylish presence and support,” said Cohen, “Every detail of the décor was flawless, and the generosity in the room helped us raise more than $250,000 for our new dedicated Sensory Therapy Room. As we look ahead to celebrating the 12th Storybook Gala, I’m honored and excited to once again be part of this extraordinary event.”
"For the past 11 years, we have been honored to serve as sponsors, and each year we are inspired by the generosity and spirit of this community,” said Mandy and Dennis Weinman. “This year’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar theme was a wonderful reminder of growth, transformation and the power of coming together. Seeing the gala reach record-breaking success is truly exciting and is a testament to the impact of this organization and the community that surrounds it. We are grateful to be part of it and look forward to returning as presenting sponsors again next year."
Additionally, the gala’s feature video shared the story of 9-year-old Landon Koontz. Landon was born with a rare gene duplication that caused a range of severe medical problems. Before birth, he had a grade 3 intraventricular hemorrhage, which meant blood was filling his ventricles and compressing his brain. He was hospitalized frequently during his first year with respiratory and gastrointestinal issues and received nutrition through a g-tube. Eventually, Landon was released on hospice care. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive. Today, he continues to receive outpatient therapeutic services at MWPH.
To date, the Storybook Gala has raised more than $6.1 million, which provides support to ongoing programs and services for children receiving inpatient and outpatient care. The majority of MWPH patients receive Medicaid and these funds will help bridge the gap between insurance and out-of-pocket expenses.
The Storybook Gala continues to be supported by a large and energetic group of volunteers - this year totaling more than 20 community and staff members. In addition to the Weinman Family’s presenting sponsorship, the event received additional support from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Annette Pakula, Stoler Automotive, Celebree School; The Cohen Family; D.F. Dent and Company, Inc.; Eliasberg Family Foundation; Johns Hopkins Medicine; FVLCRUM; Dr. Scott Klein and Family; PlasTech; MCB Real Estate; M&T Bank; University of Maryland Medical System; Whiting-Turner; and others.
The evening concluded with a special thank you from the patients.
The next Storybook Gala will be held on April 10, 2027.
About Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital has provided more than 100 years of family-focused, integrated care to children with serious, chronic, or complex medical needs. MWPH was founded in 1922 by Hortense Kahn Eliasberg who sought to open a home where children could safely recover from illness and surgery. Today, the hospital treats over 9,000 patients each year, helping them to heal, grow, and learn the skills that lead to happier, more independent lives. The 102-bed hospital is a jointly owned affiliate of the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine with locations in Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, Harford County, via Telehealth, and in the community. For more information, please visit mwph.org.
For Media Inquiries:
Mona Rock
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