CHARLOTTE - Children's Miracle Network and Levine Children's Hospital recently received a first place award for its Our Kids Come First Radiothon, which aired on Clearchannel's Lite102.9 in December 2008.The award was presented last week in Orlando, Florida, during Children's Miracle Network's annual Miracles in Media Awards celebration. Levine Children's Hospital and Lite102.9 were recognized for 'Best Staff Story,' which featured an interview with the radio's morning show team and Assistant Nurse Manager Karen Hostutler, a 21-year veteran of the hospital's Neonatal Progressive Care Nursery (NPCN). Hostutler shared examples of the care children and their families receive at Levine Children's Hospital, and she appealed to listeners to call in their support. The montage - produced by Lite102.9's Arroe Collins - was selected from hundreds of submissions representing Children's Miracle Network hospitals and radio stations across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. For nine years, Lite102.9 and Children's Miracle Network* have teamed up to bring the stories of young patients and their families to life during the Our Kids Come First Radiothon. Their efforts have inspired the community to 'give back,' collectively raising more than $2.5 million in support of Levine Children's Hospital. *Children's Miracle Network is administered locally by Carolinas HealthCare Foundation. For more information: Kirstin Ashford, Carolinas HealthCare Foundation - 704-355-4327