Sunset Soiree Raises $205,000 for Valerie's House

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Oct. 17, 2018 - PRLog -- Supporters of Valerie's House sipped cocktails, enjoyed fine dining and listened to the stories of children who had lost a parent or family member at Sunset Soiree, the signature event of the charity that helps grieving children.

A sold-out crowd of 475 people opened their hearts and their wallets at the event at the historic Shangri-La Springs in Bonita Springs Thursday, Oct. 11, and raised $205,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, children's artwork and both silent and live auctions. The annual event makes it possible for Valerie's House to offer grief support free to all families.

"We are forever grateful for the support of our community and the love they have shown to Valerie's House children who most need our comfort and compassion.  By attending Sunset Soiree, our guests helped us fulfill our vision that no child will grieve alone," said Valerie's House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin. .

Valerie's House has helped 350 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987. The non-profit organization uses art and music to help children identify, express and process their grief.

The highlight of the evening was an emotional presentation of poetry and music performed by Valerie's House teens with many attendees shedding a tear or two in response.

Florida Gulf Coast University President Dr. Michael Martin and his wife Jan were the honorary chairs of the event with ABC-7 Anchor Krista Fogelsong serving as mistress of ceremonies.

"Jan and I have both seen Valerie's House in person and met with the children there and were touched by the work they do.  There is nothing else like Valerie's House in all of Southwest Florida," Dr. Martin said.

Auction items included art created by the children of Valerie's House as well as vacation packages, jewelry and dining experiences.

A unique heart pendant created by Brad and Colbi Congress of Bradley Jewelers received the highest bid of the night at $10,000 and can be special ordered and inscribed with a loved one's name.

The Golisano Children's Hospital was the presenting sponsor of the event. Other major sponsors included FineMark National Bank & Trust, Sanibel Captiva Bank and Enterprise Holdings.

For more information about Valerie's House or to register a family for programs, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/contact-us/, call 239-204-5804, or write angela@valerieshouseswfl.org.  Valerie's House is fully supported through community donations that can be made online at www.valerieshouseswfl.org or by mail to Valerie's House, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.

About Valerie's House

Valerie's House opened in January 2016 and is serving more than 350 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie's House has two locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers and a satellite location at The Village School in Naples.

Valerie's House support programs are designed to give children ages 4 to 19 years old and their families a safe place to share, grieve and grow.  The overall goal is to lovingly assist children and their caregivers on their journeys toward mending broken hearts.  Valerie's House is modeled after the nationally-recognized and acclaimed Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families.  Programs include open-ended support groups and activities to help children to heal after a significant loss in their lives.