A Night of Light marks SAVE Family Foundation’s inaugural gala, launching a tradition that will spotlight a different one of our five Areas of Focus: mental health, education, rural healthcare access, food security, and housing stability. This year, we are focusing on mental health awareness and access.

Over the past year and a half, our work has centered on mental health access, direct care, specialized offerings, and training the next generation of licensed therapists. Through our partnerships with community organizations and the state, we’ve seen the same gap surface again and again: care gets discontinued, or a client’s needs evolve and require more specialized support, and in that transition, access is lost.

As clinicians, we know how costly that disruption is. For someone already navigating a vulnerable moment, losing care right as it starts to help doesn’t just pause progress; it can undo it, deepening the cycles of hardship we’re working to break.

Seeing this gap firsthand, as a family, we decided to take agency the best way we know how: by filling it directly. Donate a Therapy is our first step. We’re continuing our active therapy work and clinician training, with plans to bring on more partners in mental health access down the line, but we wanted to start here, with one focused program built to create real, measurable impact.

Tonight, our goal is to fund 750 therapy sessions, $150,000 in direct care. Each session funded is represented by a lantern, given out to guests throughout the evening as a tangible symbol of the care they’ve made possible. Every VIP ticket includes one lantern to start, with more opportunities to earn lanterns through fundraising and activities throughout the night. At the close of the evening, we’ll do something special with every lantern collected, a celebration of the light we’ve created together, and the reason this is A Night of Light.

$250 / person

Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with great food, entertainment, and dancing at SAVE Family Foundation's inaugural gala! This year, we're celebrating our work advancing mental health awareness and access, alongside our continued efforts in education, food security, and housing stability. Your ticket includes:

General Admission Ticket includes:

• Hors d'oeuvres, a three-course dinner
• Live entertainment
• Access to our live auction, raffles, and other surprises.

See how to remove the optional processing fee and Givebutter tip before completing your payment.

Host Committee members are welcome to support the gala by sharing the event with their networks, inviting guests, connecting us with potential sponsors, or allowing their name to be included as a Host Committee member on event materials. 

• Chair and Vice Chairs are appointed by the Board Chair in consultation with the Executive Director. 
• At least two current directors serve on the committee to keep the Board connected to the work. 
• Membership targets breadth, not uniformity: health care and behavioral health, business and professional services, faith and community organizations, education, and at least two members with lived experience of mental health challenges or family caregiving. 
• A staff liaison supports the committee and does not vote. 
• Members are recruited by invitation; anyone may express interest through the Foundation's website. 
  
  

What Host Committee members are encouraged to: 

• Attend the Gala. Join us for A Night of Light and, if possible, host or help fill a table with guests who share our commitment to mental health.
• Support the Mission. Make a personally meaningful gift or help secure sponsorships, ticket sales, or other philanthropic support through your network.
• Make Introductions. Connect the Foundation with prospective sponsors, donors, community partners, or in-kind supporters when appropriate.
• Serve as an Ambassador. Share information about the gala and the Foundation within your personal and professional networks to help build awareness and attendance.
• Participate in Committee Meetings. Attend committee meetings whenever possible and stay engaged throughout the planning process.
• Lend Your Name. With your permission, allow your name and affiliation to be recognized as a Host Committee member in event materials.
• Celebrate Our Supporters. When available, assist in thanking sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests following the event.

What the Host Committee members does not do: 

• Negotiate or sign contracts with vendors, venues, or talent.
• Speak for the Foundation to media or in public statements — media inquiries go to the staff liaison. Approve budgets, or commit Foundation funds. Reimbursable expenses require written approval in advance. 
• Access donor records beyond the prospects assigned to that member. The donor list is confidential, unless approved by the Board of Directors.