A Maitland-based nonprofit dedicated to assisting grieving youth has been selected to receive a fully donated fundraising evening valued at $100,000, courtesy of a united coalition of local event-planning and production businesses. The organization, New Hope for Kids, was named the beneficiary of the second annual Goodness Gala, an initiative created to lift the substantial financial and logistical burdens typically tied to major charity events.
New Hope for Kids focuses its work on children who have experienced the death of parents, siblings, or other family members due to illnesses, accidents, suicide, or violence. Operating in Central Florida for three decades, the organization provides structured grief-support gatherings and specialized counseling for both youngsters and their surviving caregivers as they navigate their altered circumstances.
The core mission of the nonprofit centers on providing safe spaces where children can process loss alongside peers facing similar hardships. In peer circles, young participants discover that they are not isolated in their grief, bonding with other children who understand the pain of missing parents, losing everyday family routines, and confronting uncomfortable questions from classmates.
While charity galas serve as vital revenue streams for community organizations, organizing such gatherings often demands significant upfront capital. Charitable groups frequently spend months or even an entire year securing resources and paying vendors, which ultimately diverts a notable portion of donor money away from core community programs to pay for event overhead.
To resolve this issue, Sean Hughes, the chief executive officer of aVenue Event Group, conceived the Goodness Gala. Rather than offering standard partial discounts that still leave charities with substantial invoices, Hughes sought to build a coalition of private vendors willing to supply an entire luxury event completely free of charge.
The resulting $100,000 donation package covers every operational component required for a large-scale gathering. The venue itself is The Balcony, a rooftop banquet room and outdoor terrace overlooking downtown Orlando. Beyond the physical space, donors provide everything from full dinner catering, appetizers, and an open bar to sound engineering, lighting equipment, disc jockey entertainment, professional photography, printed event programs, guest tables, and floral arrangements.
To ensure fairness and transparency in choosing a recipient, organizers established a formal application procedure with the guidance of the Central Florida Foundation. The foundation, which routinely assists regional philanthropists and charitable trusts, helped evaluate the contenders seeking this comprehensive event grant.
Interest in the package grew significantly this year, with 36 regional non-profit organizations submitting applications for consideration. During the gala's inaugural run last year, approximately two dozen charities entered the process, resulting in the selection of NextStep Orlando, an organization that delivers recovery and wellness services to individuals experiencing paralysis.
Local vendors participating in the project noted that New Hope’s focus on bereaved families struck an emotional chord during the selection review. James Marino, the owner of TableTop Catering, explained that while corporate philanthropy is central to his business model, learning about the realities facing local children dealing with family loss was a profound realization that motivated his firm to participate.
In addition to aVenue Event Group and TableTop Catering, several other regional vendors partnered to furnish the evening's requirements. The collaborative donor group includes Orlando Marquee & Decor, Go To Event Rentals, iRock Your Party, Bellamore Studio, Faux Real Flowers, On Top Printing, and Printed for Light.
New Hope Chief Executive Officer Brian Clark highlighted that being chosen for the Goodness Gala is a major milestone for the Maitland nonprofit. Clark noted that despite three decades of active service in the region, many local families who could benefit from their grief counseling remain unaware of the support systems available to them.
The gala provides an expanded stage to highlight the transformation that occurs when grieving children receive dedicated care. Gloria Capozzi, the director of community outreach for New Hope, noted that witnessing children transition from deep sorrow to finding comfort and support among their peers is an uplifting experience for everyone involved in the mission.
Because the entire production budget has been fully underwritten by the participating vendors, all proceeds generated from gala attendees and supporters on Saturday evening will directly fund New Hope’s counseling and family assistance programs without deductions for event expenses.
Following the conclusion of this weekend's festivities, the vendor coalition plans to continue the tradition. Beginning on October 1, the group will officially open the application window for the 2027 Goodness Gala, aiming to deliver another fully funded charity night to another deserving organization in the community.
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