Marion White Linder
The Face of MCG Children’s Medical Center

In the early 1980s, Marion White Linder walked through the doors of MCG Children’s Medical Center, stared into the shining eyes of children battling life-threatening diseases, and became a dedicated advocate for the facility, its patients and their families. 

With style and charm, she has since hosted 22 consecutive annual broadcast events celebrating community support for the facility. The events are sponsored by the Children’s Miracle Network, an international non-profit organization that raises funds for the center and other affiliate children’s hospitals. 

Marion became involved with the children’s hospital through her position as a regional fashion director at J.B. White, where she worked for almost 25 years organizing events, hosting a weekly “make-over” television show and directing the fashion board. “I got the girls on the board to perform community service at MCG Children’s Medical Center, and I was instantly hooked,” Marion says. “The patients are so brave and inspiring. Many of them face terrible illnesses with such grace.”

Ever since, the children’s hospital has been a big part of Marion’s life. In fact, she met her husband, Dr. Charles Linder, through her work on behalf of the facility.     

Marion hosted the first event in 1985, when the Children’s Medical Center was still a unit within the main hospital. Her name recognition, broadcast experience and passion for the center made her a natural fit. “By then I was a fixture around the place,” she says. 

Five years later, when MCG began planning the construction of the current freestanding facility, Marion was thrilled. The groundbreaking in November 1995 proved an important day in her life in more ways than one. Dr. Linder presented Marion with an engagement ring at the ceremony. “Charlie considered that an auspicious day because he knew how much the children’s hospital meant to me,” she says. 

For years, the events were held in a local television station, but on Marion’s suggestion, the celebration was moved to the lobby of the children’s hospital when the new facility opened. “This lets the patients and family members take a greater role in the celebration and makes it much more personal,” she says. 

“Hundreds of businesses and individuals volunteer, many year after year. So each celebration is like a big family reunion,” Marion says.

When the final figures were tallied, the community had donated almost $1 million to the Children’s Miracle Network in 2006. “Every penny of that money stays right here in Augusta to improve the care and comfort of children at the hospital,” Marion says. 

The funds are used to hire play therapists and teachers, so children can continue their normal activities while they’re in the hospital. Children can even interact with classmates at their schools through videoconferencing. Over the years, MCG Children’s Medical Center has bought medical technology, playground equipment, toys and games, special high-tech beds for premature infants, materials for a resource library for parents and much more with the funds.    

In addition to her volunteer work with the center, Marion operates her own public relations firm, planning events for Augusta Mall and other clients. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and family. And she visits children at the hospital whenever she can.

“It’s humbling to be around these wonderful children,” she says. “Walking into the MCG Children’s Medical Center was one of the best steps I’ve ever taken.”