Back to News

2022 Anniversary Celebration Recap

Children’s Home Society of Virginia is an adoption agency founded in 1900 to serve Virginia’s neglected and abused youth.

In our 122 years, we have been pioneers for at-risk youth. We believe that every child deserves a home and are dedicated to serving youth and families in the Commonwealth. Healthy families are the cornerstone of a healthy community, and we work diligently to transform our community by creating and supporting families in which children are able to thrive. 

Since 1900, we have served more than 16,000 Virginia children, youth, and families. Finding permanent, loving homes for at-risk youth is our biggest accomplishment.The Children's Home Society of Virginia 2022 Anniversary Celebration Line Up | Virginia Adoption Agency

To commemorate our 122 years, we hosted an anniversary celebration last month at Main Line Brewery in Richmond. It was a night of looking back at our extensive history and looking forward to our future – a future where we will hopefully continue making a difference in the lives of youth of all ages.

Almost 250 people came out from our community to make this night possible. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our Virginia adoption agency! It is because of your support that we will be able to continue changing lives. 

“It is so heartening to see the kind of public support for the children, youth, and families of Virginia with foster care experience. The love of family is what CHS is all about, and that love was so apparent through all those who came out to celebrate the great work that CHS has done for 122 years and continues to do every day.” – Nadine Marsh-Carter, CHS President & CEO

Keep reading to learn how much you made a difference and how youth will benefit from your generous donations.

2022 Anniversary Celebration Success 

The night’s festivities kicked off with delicious food from three local food trucks, Curry in a Hurry, Wrapperz D-Lite, and Tiffany’s Food Truck, as well as great beer and hard seltzer from Main Line Brewery. Guests enjoyed their amazing food while partaking in a silent auction and raffle and listening to wonderful music.

Owners of Wrapperz-D-Lite Food Truck standing in front of truck smiling Owners of Curry in a Hurry Food Truck standing in front of truck smiling

Silent auction prizes included gift cards to local coffee shops, spas, record stores, and restaurants. Larger packages included having a seafood dinner prepared in your home by a prestigious chef for eight friends, one month of unlimited Hot Yoga Barre classes, a private wine class for 20 people, piano playing for a private party, travel planning, and a “date night,” which included cocktails, dinner, dessert, and putt-putt golf at Hotel Greene

We more than doubled our financial goal for the silent auction. Thank you, everyone!

Another hot ticket item was our raffle prize, “Barrow of Booze.” This wheelbarrow was stuffed to the brim with craft beer, wine, and high-end liquor and was valued at more than $1,000! Tickets sold for $20 for an arm’s length. We more than doubled our financial goal with this item, as well!

A wheelbarrow stuffed full of alcohol A group of raffle winners who won the wheelbarrow full of alcohol

In total, we were able to raise more than $150,000 from sponsorships, in-person tickets, streaming tickets, silent auction bids, raffle tickets, pledges, and text-to-give. Thank you to everyone who gave! Your support means the world to us. 

Three women smiling holding raffle tickets

All the generous donations raised from this event help our mission of supporting permanency and life-long connections for Virginia’s at-risk children and youth.

2022 Anniversary Celebration Highlights 

One highlight of the night was keynote speaker, Leigh Anne Tuohy, whose personal story inspired the Blockbuster movie, “The Blind Side.” 

Guests were also given the opportunity to buy additional tickets to meet and talk with Leigh Anne in a special VIP reception before the night began. 

Leigh Anne Tuohy's books on a table Leigh Anne Tuohy smiling with two fans

In addition to Leigh Anne’s keynote speech, Children’s Home Society of Virginia’s President & CEO, Nadine Marsh-Carter, also spoke to guests.

Children’s Home Society of Virginia’s President & CEO, Nadine Marsh-Carter, speaking in front of a microphone“Today, we are celebrating the power of love. For 122 years, our agency has been about creating families. We are inspired by the amazing resiliency the children we serve have. We are humbled by their courage. We are truly honored to be their voice. We are privileged to serve them. When adopted children heal, children thrive – and children learn to love and trust again.” 

Another highlight was live music from The Way Down Wanderers, a high-energy Illinois quintet, who traveled 15 hours just to come and perform for our event. After the show, there was an opportunity for a band meet and greet! Our guests absolutely loved the band and we’ve received so many calls and emails from folks telling us how much fun the band was ever since the event ended. They were incredible!

The Way Down Wanderers band playing on stage

We are also so very grateful to all our sponsors for continuing to support our work and helping us to reach our fundraising goal:

Sponsors included:

Thank you again for your generous contributions!

Blue ponchos provided my McGuire Woods

Here’s what some happy guests had to say about what their favorite part of the night was:

“Seeing the guests (families/colleagues) interact and enjoy the experience (laughing, mingling, etc.) Food trucks were a nice touch. Spacious venue (outside setting). Seeing the CHS team and Jr. Board members work together and interact with guests.”

“Loved the band and food trucks!”

“The band and the opportunity to interact with board members”

“The raffle!”

“Fellowship opportunity”

Thank you for all your kind words! We are excited everyone had such a great time!

The Children’s Home Society of Virginia | Support Virginia Adoption

We want to reiterate how thankful we are for all the support from our community for making this event possible and for blowing our expectations out of the water! 

When we allow children to thrive, our entire community benefits. 

“Through the power of family, there is hope for a better future. Children are so much more than the narrative that comes from their pasts. They have great potential. They can thrive when they get the love and support they need.” – Nadine Marsh-Carter CHS President & CEO

If you would like to give financially to our mission and work, you can do so here. Together, we can change the lives of children of all ages.

Kendra Scott Giveback EventYou can also support us by joining us at the Kendra Scott boutique in Short Pump for an evening of bubbles, bites, and jewelry.

Join us on Wednesday, July 6th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kendra Scott in Short Pump for a Kendra Gives Back Party benefiting our mission. Kendra Scott will donate 20% of every purchase made during the event to CHS. Bring your friends along for a shopping event that gives back and raises awareness!

For those that are unable to attend but would still like to support, you can do so by ordering online and using our code.

To browse Kendra Scott‘s jewelry collections prior to the party, visit www.KendraScott.com.

If you are thinking of adopting, we have several resources available to you. And when you’re ready, click the button below!