How the Foster Love Believe Gala Inspired Us

How the Foster Love Believe Gala Inspired Us

Every year, Foster Love proudly presents the annual Gala event: a night that shines a spotlight on the foster care community while championing the belief that every child deserves a brighter future. It’s also our chance to honor the incredible efforts, successes, and stories of the people who make this mission possible—you!

This year’s Foster Love Believe Gala was nothing short of extraordinary. With over 400 guests in attendance, together we were able to help thousands of kids in foster care through generous donations, exciting auction bids, and program sponsorships.

Founder Danny Mendoza and Executive Director Gianna Mulkay took the stage with heartfelt speeches, sharing gratitude for the community and reminding us why this work matters so deeply.

If you weren’t able to join us, you missed an incredible night! But don’t worry, there’s always next year! In the meantime, we’ve got the full recap of the evening for you, so you can enjoy the heartwarming moments and inspiring moments that made it so special.

 

A Red Carpet Affair

Adding a touch of Hollywood charm, TV host and public figure Dan Babic graced the red carpet, interviewing guests alongside his beloved dog, Gizmo Vanderpump-Babic. The scene felt like something out of an awards show, with guests dressed to the nines in glamorous gowns, sharp tuxedos, and sparkling accessories that lit up the room.

Attendees posed for photos beneath the lights, stopping to capture their looks as if they were celebrities on Oscar Night. Laughter, camera flashes and the buzz of excited conversation filled the air as the evening began. The warmth of the community grew as guests wandered around the venue to read real messages of belief from kids in foster care, reminding us why we were all there: to make futures brighter for children in foster care.

 

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Our Host: Jodie Sweetin

Adding her warmth and charisma, Jodie Sweetin—actress, advocate, and beloved star of Full House and Fuller House—guided through the evening as our “conductor.” Her genuine passion for helping kids in the foster care system set the perfect tone for the night. As she reminded us, “Tonight is about…real families, real children, and real stories of belief. Every dream begins with a first step. And tonight, we’re taking that first step together.”

Her words framed the evening beautifully, leading into a lineup of inspiring speakers whose powerful stories carried us on a true journey of belief.

Inspiring Stories from the Stage

We were honored to welcome motivational speaker, entrepreneur, former NFL player, and American Ninja Warrior contestant Anthony Trucks. Anthony shared his powerful story of being placed in foster care as a child and adopted at age 14. He spoke candidly about being the only Black child in a white family and his path to the NFL. He proudly shared that today, he and his wife have come full circle, giving back by becoming licensed foster parents themselves. His story was a moving reminder of how lived experience can transform into a lifelong commitment to helping the next generation.

We also celebrated alongside the Second Chance 7, also known as the Willis Family and their group of seven siblings, who bravely shared their journey through foster care and their fight to stay together. Their story is a reminder that siblings belong together. Programs like Disney Days, which help siblings separated in foster care reunite and create lasting memories, are important to preserving these precious, lifelong connections.

Sharing stories like these is one of the most powerful ways to spread awareness and remind us that behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a journey.

Unforgettable Performances

Music brought even more magic to the evening. Foster Love Family Fellowship recipient Marquese Dukes returned to the Gala, moving the audience with his original song I Believe, which he performed on piano. His message about resilience and the importance of community deeply resonated with every guest.

We’re grateful to the Ever Everest Foundation for sponsoring the entertainment portion of the Gala, and we just want to say thank you, Everett Lee, for the incredible piano performance!

The night also featured show-stopping performances by America’s Got Talent Winner Richard Goodall, and international piano prodigy Everett Lee. Together, they wowed the crowd with Don’t Stop Believing that had the entire audience dancing on their feet, and a tribute song called Family, dedicated to siblings separated in foster care. 

The evening concluded with a live band performance from country music artist Kyle Fisher Steven as guests danced the night away. 

 

Dining, Drinks & Auction Excitement

Of course, no Gala would be complete without exquisite food and drinks. Guests indulged in handcrafted appetizers like caviar from Caspian Queen, delicate French cake bites from Lady M, and a warm chai and dessert bar from Chaiwale & Co. Signature cocktails and a lively VIP reception afterparty kept the celebration alive late into the evening.

The live auction added even more excitement, with extraordinary prizes like airfare and tickets to see Lady Gaga in Paris, a luxury vineyard stay at OneHope’s Napa Estate, dazzling diamond jewelry from Happy Jewelers, sports memorabilia from Denis Bouanga and Jo Adell, spa retreats, and more.

Honoring Our Community & Sponsors

Everything we do at Foster Love is made possible by the generosity of our community, and much of that support comes from our dedicated corporate partners. At the Gala, we proudly recognized organizations and individuals who go above and beyond to support kids in foster care:

Corporate Hero Award: Brandsource

Social Advocacy Award: Peter Mutabazi (aka Foster Dad Flipper)

Family of the Year Award: The Willis Family

Family Fellows

We also welcomed our newest cohort of Family Fellowship Scholarship winners, students who shared their own moving stories about perseverance, survival, and hope for the future. Their words reminded guests that believing in young people can change the trajectory of their lives:

“My story is unique because I was forced to focus not only on my survival but also my ability to thrive…When you choose to believe in youth like us, you’re not only providing us that our stories aren’t defined by where we’ve been but rather, where we’re going. You’re also helping us reach our goals that we’ve strived for, for our entire lives.”

“I want you guys to know, if any of you guys are questioning if what you guys are doing matters, let me tell you this: it does. And it matters the most. You have no idea how much the Family Fellowship has transformed my life. It has literally been the fuel for me to keep on going because I felt that my car was running almost on empty.”

“Three things that I definitely believe in are: family, community, and the good of the world. I feel like you guys coming here, I can see that a lot of you also share those values, and I just want to thank you all.” 

Hope to See You Next Year!

The Foster Love Believe Gala united a community rooted in compassion and a commitment to children in foster care. The heartfelt stories of resilience and the unforgettable performances created a magical evening that serves as a reminder of the power of belief.

We’re grateful to every guest, speaker, performer, and supporter who made the evening possible. The Foster Love Believe Gala is proof that when people come together with purpose, magic happens. 

We can’t wait to see you next year as we continue our mission!