There’s No Place Like Hope: 2026 Gala Recap
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
Wellfield Botanic Gardens were filled with hope on the evening of August 21 as more than 300 friends, partners, and supporters came together for the annual CAPS & Maple City Gala.
This year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like Hope,” felt especially meaningful as our community gathered in support of a newly united CAPS & Maple City. The evening reflected the incredible support behind our merged organization and a shared commitment to ensuring children and families throughout our community can access the critical, high-quality, comprehensive care and services they need.
From the beautiful setting and thoughtful details to the generosity that filled the evening, the Gala was a reminder of what is possible when a community comes together around children and families. Hope is more than an idea — it is something we create together through compassionate care, deep relationships, and a shared belief in a stronger future.
CAPS & Maple City was also pleased to be able to honor Tim Portolese as the recipient of the 2026 Friend of the Child Award, which is dedicated to a valued community member who is committed to building a community where all children and families are healthy, safe and thriving. For nearly two decades, Tim has been a steadfast friend, advocate and champion of children and families in our community.
Time often reminds us that “kids are the great imitators,” and that as members of the community, we have a responsibility to give them something worth imitating.
A Community Behind the Mission
The support surrounding CAPS & Maple City throughout this season of growth has been extraordinary. By bringing together clinical care, community services, and child abuse prevention and response under one organization, we have an opportunity to reduce barriers, strengthen connections, and make it easier for families to receive the right support at the right time.
The Gala was a celebration of that vision — and of the donors, partners, volunteers, and friends who are helping make it possible.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our guests and supporters, we also exceeded our fundraising goal for the evening. Every gift strengthens the comprehensive array of services CAPS & Maple City provides to children, families, and individuals throughout our community and helps ensure this work remains accessible to those who need it most.
Creating a Night to Remember
An event of this size and spirit would not be possible without the dedicated volunteers who give so generously of their time and talents. We are deeply grateful to our Gala Committee for bringing this year’s theme to life and thoughtfully shaping an evening that was meaningful and memorable. A record number of community volunteers joined us the night of the gala to assure the evening ran smoothly and that all felt welcome.
We are grateful to our dedicated Board of Directors who attended the event and have provided great leadership throughout the merge of our organization.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are also incredibly grateful for the businesses, organizations, and individuals whose sponsorship makes the Gala possible. Their generosity helps cover the costs of the event, allowing the funds raised throughout the evening to go directly toward advancing our mission and serving our community.
Presenting Sponsor, Kelly and Karen Rose
Garden Sponsors, Brinkley RV, ASA Electronics, NIBCO, and Global Links
Gold Sponsors, Lippert, Welch Packing Group, Patrick
Silver Sponsors, Middlebury Produce, Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Interra Credit Union, First State Bank, Barnes & Thornburg, Mary Jo Sartorius and Chuck Jones, and DJ Construction.
To every sponsor, donor, volunteer, guest, and friend who joined us: thank you. Your support helps turn hope into action every day for the children and families we serve.
Because when a community comes together with compassion, generosity, and a shared belief in what is possible, there truly is no place like hope.
