Sparking joy for children: Peggy and Joe Pinner Endowment Fund
Prisma Health Midlands Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Peggy and Joe Pinner Endowment Fund to benefit Prisma Health Children’s Hospital—Midlands.
The endowment fund is established in honor of the late Peggy and Joe Pinner by Paula and Gregg Pinner and Diane and Michael Pinner. The endowment is made possible through a generous gift from the Joe and Peggy Pinner Charitable Fund, a fund that Joe Pinner created in 2022 to memorialize Peggy, and that their loved ones continued to contribute to at the time of Joe’s passing in 2024.
Joe Pinner was a beloved news personality, known throughout the Midlands and beyond for his long career at WIS TV as an anchor, weatherman and host of “Mr. Knozit,” an award-winning educational program where Joe featured local children as guests.
The new endowment fund’s purpose is to support the children’s hospital as Joe did – sparking joy, fun and learning for children. Starting next year and with income from the endowment fund, Children’s Hospital will dedicate a day as “Joe Pinner Day.” On this day, Children’s Hospital will provide activities for hospitalized children consistent with the spirit of Joe Pinner. The first Joe Pinner Day will be March 16, 2027. We can’t spoil all the surprises, but we can share that snow is in the forecast at Children’s Hospital that day, because, well, Joe loved snow!
“Children’s Hospital was near and dear to my parents. They would be proud of the endowment the family has created,” Gregg Pinner noted.
Joe served on the (then) Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital’s board of directors and served as emcee for annual Radiothon and Telethon fundraising events. As emcee, he brought to life the stories of children and families cared for in the hospital and was instrumental in raising awareness and funds. It was a special place for Peggy as well.
“Our mom was always supportive of all the events that our dad was asked to be involved with, especially if children were involved. She loved children. She would always travel with him to Florida when the children’s hospital was involved with Children’s Miracle Network and never minded if a child wanted to meet Mr. Knozit whenever out in public,” said Gregg Pinner.
Joe Pinner made a lasting impression on the staff of the children’s hospital, as well.
“Joe brought love and enthusiasm every time he entered this hospital. To carry his spirit forward in the form of Joe Pinner Day – bringing fun and learning activities to our hospitalized children – is a great gift that will uplift the spirits and hearts of the kids and families as Joe did every week with his TV show and the times he visited Children’s Hospital,” said Caughman Taylor, MD, senior medical director, Prisma Health Children’s Hospital—Midlands.
We hope that the community will join us in carrying forward the legacy of Peggy and Joe Pinner through giving to the endowment and growing its impact for the children’s hospital. To donate to the fund, click here.
Photos from the March 19, 2026 announcement of the Peggy and Joe Pinner Endowment Fund. Thank you to WIS TV for coming out to support this special day.