March 29, 2025 was not only a historic night, but one to be remembered for ages! As I reflect on the night, I’m filled with gratitude, pride, and renewed determination to continue our work providing needed mental health care to children and supporting providers of childcare for our youngest.
Over 300 supporters joined ChildSavers to celebrate a century of service to children and families in Virginia. The gala was more than an event — it was a testament to what we can achieve when a community rallies behind its most vulnerable, yet enterprising members: our children.
We raised over $586,000, including $100,000 from the guests that evening. The most ever for a ChildSavers event! This was made possible by a $250,000 challenge match grant. Most of these funds will support ChildSavers’ endowment to secure and safeguard our next 100 years of supporting children and families. The remainder will support our annual operations.
This generosity could not have come at a more critical time. As future funding becomes uncertain, the need for quality childcare and the demand for mental health services for children and youth continues to grow. The gala resources simply help.
We are grateful to the volunteers and team members who created this magical and unforgettable 100th anniversary celebration that connected our community of supporters with our mission-driven work.
The cocktail reception featured a whimsical unicorn. I guess that they truly exist. Mesmerizing aerialists from captivated the audience as they floated through the air. Yes, there were a multitude of gasps. The band enticed guests onto the dance floor to celebrate this special milestone in our history. And did we danced a lot!
Each of these moments will linger in our memories. And while the Gala was a beautiful, joyous occasion for our guests, ultimately, we raised critical funds to safeguard ChildSavers’s future, as well as the lives of those who we serve.
During the evening, I shared powerful stories about the impact of our mission-driven work. A caregiver received coaching from our Child Development Services staff and was able to build a successful childcare business providing a safe learning environment for children in her care.
A young boy referred to ChildSavers by his school for behavioral issues, began to trust our therapist and was able to develop healthy coping mechanisms to help navigate his anxiety and to process his past trauma. These voices remind us all why we do what we do — and why we must continue.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our event sponsors, hosts, planning committee, donors, staff, and volunteers who poured their time and treasure into making the evening so special. We all believe in the potential of every child!
Because of this special celebratory evening, more children will have a chance to heal, to grow, and to reach their full potential.
As we look to the future, I invite you to stay connected, stay inspired, and continue to advocate and support ChildSavers for mental health equity and quality learning spaces for all children. Together, we are not just imagining a better world, we are building it.
L. Robert Bolling
Chief Executive Officer
