Olathe, Kansas – November 21, 2013 – KVC Health Systems, which cares for more than fifty percent of children in the Kansas child welfare system, will host its annual Gala this Friday, November 22 at Studio Dan Meiners (2500 West Pennway) in Kansas City, MO. The Gala combines gourmet food and drinks, live cooking and artist demonstrations, and unique auction and raffle opportunities to raise funds to enhance the lives of children in foster care and the families that support them.

The 2013 KVC Gala features Chef Andrew Sloan from Room 39, bartender Travis Stewart from The Kill Devil Club, local fine artist Allan Chow, the band Atlantic Express and other local celebrities.

Proceeds from The Gala go toward KVC’s Resource Family Conference, an annual weekend gathering for 1,000+ foster children and their families. Parents learn new strategies for handling family challenges, and kids enjoy fun activities like games, bouncy houses and talent shows. Due to the success of The Gala, KVC is able to underwrite 100% of the costs of the event to give children in foster care a positive, life-changing experience.

“The Resource Family Conference is something that many of the children in foster care look forward to all year long,” said B. Wayne Sims, president and CEO of KVC Health Systems. “We’re proud to be able to provide this benefit to our foster families, and it simply wouldn’t be possible without the businesses, families and individuals who participate in The Gala each year.”

Tickets are $150 per person with a limited number of discounted tickets available for guests under age 30.

The sponsors for the event are: The Kelly Family Foundation, Garmin, Holmes Murphy, Security Bank of Kansas City, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Farmer’s Insurance Group, the Kansas City Royals in partnership with KCP&L, Hen House, Olathe Chamber of Commerce, Fred & Carol Watts, Bradco, Thomas McGee, L.C., Reagan & Brian Wittek, Validity Screening Solutions, Metcalf Bank, Feld Entertainment, JE Dunn Construction, Roberts Chevrolet Buick, Olathe Medical Center, ACI Concrete Placement, Jan Newman-McAninch Charitable Trust, FreightQuote, Jan Newman-McAninch Charitable Trust, AOS and Lincoln Financial Group, Donald Cahalan, Jarret & Michelle Schmidt, Reisler Family Foundation, AC Printing Co., Walker Medical Linen Services, Reactor Design Studio, Seigfreid Bingham, Foulston Siefkin, LLP, Worksite Benefit Associates, Drs. Jyotsna & Vishal Adma, Marianne & John Aitken, Susan & Scott Asner, Laura & Lowry Jones, Renny & Mark Arensberg, Kathy & Perry Atha, Jan & Todd Bleakley, Susan & John Goodman, Marilyn & Mike Harrison, Jan & Steve Howard, Ellen K. McCarthy, Ellen McCarthy & Todd Peterson, Katherine & Harlan Opie, Mindy & Steve Owens, Debbie Simpson, Nancy & Guy Snowdy, Central States Beverage, Teresa & Tom Walsh, Debbie Swinney from State Farm, Stucky & Fields, LLC and Leslie & Greg Stelzer.

For more information, visit www.kvc.org/thegala or contact Beth Schild at bschild@kvc.org.