Spring is a season of renewal, making it the perfect time to come together while helping children in foster care. Each year, the Children’s Home Society of Virginia hosts a beautiful spring fundraiser, and this year, it’s at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden again! Please join us for a meaningful afternoon filled with stunning blooms, delicious bites, refreshing mimosas, and live music—all for a great cause.
This special event not only offers a chance to experience the gardens at their peak but also provides an opportunity to make a real impact. Guests can support our mission by participating in a silent auction and raffle featuring exclusive experiences and fine spirits. The afternoon will also include a heartfelt program at Bloemendaal House, where families will share their inspiring adoption journeys and the difference we have made in their lives.
By attending this event, you’re not just celebrating spring—you’re playing a vital role in helping children in foster care find the stability, love, and support they deserve. Keep reading to learn more about this incredible gathering and how you can be part of the change!
Let Love Grow: Celebrate 125 Years With Us at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden While Helping Children in Foster Care
Last year’s spring fundraiser was an unforgettable day, brimming with inspiring stories and overwhelming support for our mission. We are confident this year’s event will be as memorable and impactful!
Enjoy the breathtaking sights of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in full spring bloom! Wander through the colorful gardens as the soothing melodies of a local jazz trio fill the air. Indulge in delicious bites and refreshing mimosas, all while making a meaningful impact by supporting adoption in Virginia.
Event Details & What to Expect
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will provide catering for the event, which will surely not disappoint.
Your event ticket includes all-day garden admission, delicious food, mimosas, and plenty of free parking. This family-friendly event will take place rain or shine.
The day will begin with a gathering at Bloemendaal House, where guests will enjoy a brief program. During this time, a social worker from our Post-Adoption Program will share insights into the lasting impact of post-adoption support.
Meet Our Keynote Speakers, JD & Heather Beam
Beam Family
We are thrilled to announce that JD and Heather Beam will be our main speakers. Their combined knowledge—spanning social work, law, and lived experience—provides a meaningful perspective on adoption and the power of connection.
Heather and JD have been married for more than 25 years. Together, they have six children—four biological and two adopted internationally – aged 25 to 15. Being adoptive parents has given them a deep, firsthand understanding of the joys and challenges of adoption.
Heather recently joined the Post Adoption team at CHSVA and is thrilled to be able to support Virginia’s vulnerable youth in this way. In addition to this work, Heather is a talented artist, creating vibrant mixed-media abstract paintings that reflect her passion for bringing love and light to the world. She especially loves it when she can donate her work to benefit local non-profits.
JD, an attorney for Genworth Financial, has had the privilege of combining his skills and education with his heart for adoption to finalize nearly a dozen adoptions pro bono. He also wants to become a guardian ad litem so he can personally support vulnerable children as they are affected by the legal system.
Over the years, the adoption and foster care community has richly blessed them with many meaningful friendships and opportunities to give back to their community. They know it takes a village and are always eager to share their experiences and support others on the journey.
Together, JD and Heather will share how adoption has impacted their lives and, despite the ups and downs, they wouldn’t change a thing. Over the years, they have seen the healing that can occur when vulnerable children have loving, intentional connections with supportive adults. Their message is one of hope, understanding, and the transformative power of love.
Bid, Win, and Make a Difference
Amazing silent auction prizes await!
Past silent auctions have featured an exciting array of items, including gift certificates to local restaurants, bakeries, and wineries; tickets to local attractions, sporting events, and shows; and a variety of local artwork, including paintings, custom commissions, and blown glass. Other highlights have included Virginia getaway and “staycation” packages with hotels and meals/activities, golf foursomes, gift baskets, and memberships to local museums and recreation associations. You can expect the same thought and care for items and packages this year!
Post-Adoption Support Program
We are dedicated to offering high-quality, personalized post-adoption support services to children and families from the moment of adoption placement through finalization and beyond.
Our comprehensive program is tailored to address the unique needs of each child and family. It provides everything from advocacy to respite services, all aimed at fostering strong, permanent families. Strong families are the foundation of vibrant communities.
Our post-adoption support program collaborates with the Virginia Department of Social Services and other local service providers to better serve Central and Northern Virginia adoptive families. This partnership enables us to offer more efficient and comprehensive support for families in these regions.
In Virginia, post-adoption services are organized into five regions, and we proudly serve families in the Northern and Central regions. Both regions offer the same services to support adoptive families, and you can learn more about our services here.
“We are grateful to the post adoption program at CHSVA for the parent educational opportunities provided, from an interracial adoption workshop to collaborative problem-solving classes. These resources have not only strengthened our parenting skills but also deepened our understanding of how to best support our son.” – A post adopt family
About CHSVA: A Full-Service, Nonprofit Organization Making a Lasting Impact
The Children’s Home Society of Virginia is a full-service, private nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing critical services to children, youth, and families throughout the state. As a nonprofit organization, we are deeply committed to our mission of ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in a loving and supportive family environment.
Our services span across a variety of programs, all designed to meet the unique needs of children and families at every stage of the adoption journey. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of donors, foundations, and community partners to fund our work.
Donations are vital to our continued offering of our life-changing services. Whether it’s supporting children through the adoption process, providing crucial post-adoption services, or helping aged-out foster youth achieve independence, your contribution ensures we can keep operating and making a real difference in the lives of Virginia’s children. By giving to CHSVA, you invest in brighter futures, stronger families, and healthier communities.
Every dollar makes a difference in the life of a child. Here are some ways we put your gifts to work:
- $20: Book or DVD for our Resource Lending Library, offering important parenting and adoption-related information for our adoptive families and children
- $50: Activity for a foster child to meet a prospective adoptive family for the first time – like a casual dinner or bowling
- $100: Post Adoptive Club activity for adoptive children to meet and hang out.
- $250: Parenting skills training session for prospective adoptive families on topics such as dealing with trauma, managing ADD and ADHD, and parenting a sexually abused child
- $500: One year’s Internet service for a My Path Forward youth.
- $1,000: Furnish a My Path Forward apartment.
- $1,500: One year of post-adoption counseling support for a child and their new family.
This year, our annual event has a Matching Gift Challenge. Any donation above the ticket price will have DOUBLE the impact, up to $25,000!
“At Children’s Home Society of Virginia, our mission is to provide hope and a future to children in foster care, especially older youth who are too often overlooked. As the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter, I have the privilege of walking alongside these incredible young people, advocating for their futures, and helping them find the permanency they deserve, whether through adoption or other lasting connections. Every donation fuels our ability to continue this life-changing work, ensuring that no child faces their future alone. Your support makes our mission possible, and together, we can change the story for these children.” – Krista Watson, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter
For more than 15 years, Krista has worked to match youth still waiting in Virginia’s foster care system with families.
Helping Children in Foster Care: Your Support Makes a Lasting Impact
This annual celebration and fundraising event ensures that the children, youth, and families we serve receive the vital support they need to succeed. With your generous contributions, we can continue to nurture strong, lasting families that positively impact future generations. By working together, we can help at-risk children in Virginia grow into exceptional individuals who thrive.
Thanks to your ongoing support, we’ve served more than 17,000 children, youth, and families, and we couldn’t have achieved this without you. Your financial contributions make it possible for us to fulfill our mission of finding a permanent, loving home for every child. We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to making a difference in the lives of Virginia’s most vulnerable children and families.
We hope to see you Sunday, April 27th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden! When we allow children to thrive, our entire community benefits. Purchase tickets here.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to ESTES, our esteemed Presenting Sponsor, and Troutman Pepper Locke, our generous Gold Sponsor, for their incredible support. Their commitment to our mission is crucial in helping us make a lasting impact in the lives of children, youth, and families across Virginia. We are truly grateful for their partnership and dedication to our important cause.
We invite more companies and organizations to partner with us as sponsors for this impactful event, helping to support the vital work we do for children, youth, and families in Virginia! Sponsorship includes five tiers:
- Platinum: $10,000
- Gold: $5,000
- Silver: $2,500
- Bronze: $1,000
- Friend: $500
Sponsor our event today!
