4KIDS gala raises more than $500,000 for Southwest Florida children and families

4KIDS Southwest Florida says its Tides of Change Gala on Oct. 3 in Fort Myers raised over $500,000 to support children and families in the region. The event drew sponsors, donors and community members for fundraising tied to foster care, therapy, mentoring and prevention services.

Why it matters: - The gala raised more than $500,000 to support children and families in Southwest Florida. - The funds are meant to help 4KIDS expand homes, healing and hope for children, caregivers and young adults in the region. - The money supports foster-family recruitment and support, along with therapy, mentoring and prevention-based services.

What happened: - 4KIDS Southwest Florida hosted its Tides of Change Gala on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Club at Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers. - Community members, sponsors and supporters attended the event. - Special guest speaker Kondo Simfukwe and 4KIDS alum Huram Joseph shared personal stories during the evening. - A live auction featured high-profile items including a trip to Fiji and an African safari. - The event raised over $500,000 for children and families in Southwest Florida.

The details: - Rick Jacobs, vice president of 4KIDS Southwest Florida, said the room came together around the idea that every child deserves someone who will show up, stand beside them and remind them they matter. - 4KIDS thanked Coastal Fertilizer & Supply, Clyde Johnson Contracting & Roofing and Mo Better Garage for serving as Beacon of Hope Co-Presenting Sponsors. - The organization also thanked its broader sponsor base for helping deliver support and long-term impact. - 4KIDS says it has spent nearly 30 years serving children, families, caregivers and young adults. - The group focuses on safety, belonging, identity and healing. - 4KIDS recruits, licenses and supports foster families. - 4KIDS also provides wraparound services including therapy, mentoring and prevention-based initiatives. - More information is available on 4KIDS.us. - 4KIDS also maintains social media pages on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The event blended fundraising with personal testimony, a format that can deepen donor engagement and make the mission more tangible. - The auction items and sponsor support suggest the gala drew both high-value giving and broad community backing. - The message from 4KIDS points to a continued emphasis on foster care infrastructure and services that extend beyond emergency placement.

What's next: - 4KIDS will use the proceeds to continue serving children and families across Southwest Florida. - The organization will likely keep recruiting and supporting foster families while expanding therapy, mentoring and prevention efforts. - 4KIDS is positioning community support as a key part of its next round of impact in the region.