Valerie’s House Cancels Annual Event, Launches Giving Campaign

Sunset theme will focus on shining light in the face of darkness

Fort Myers, Florida – August 31, 2020 – Valerie’s House, the only organization in Southwest Florida with the sole focus of helping children grieve, has decided to cancel its annual Sunset Soiree event, normally held in the month of October, due to ongoing COVID-19 safety concerns. 2020 would have been the fourth year hosting the Sunset Soiree.

In lieu of the event, Valerie’s House is launching the Every Sunset Brings the Promise of a New Dawn giving campaign. Various photos of children and families in the Valerie’s House program with the backdrop of the Southwest Florida sunset will be shown throughout the next few months over social media and other outlets reminding the community of the promise of a new beginning, even in times of darkness.  The goal of the campaign is to raise $100,000 from individuals and businesses for the children of Valerie’s House across Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties.

“Our families need to see that we are not letting this tough time stop us from doing everything we can to make sure Valerie’s House is always there for them,” said Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “When families walk into Valerie’s House, we are often the light during a dark time, and the sunset is a reminder to them that even with sadness, beauty awaits us in life.”

Since the start of the pandemic, Valerie’s House has experienced an influx of new children entering the program for help with grieving the death of a parent or sibling.  Since April 1, more than 230 children have attended a grief  support group, either virtually or in-person at either the Fort Myers or Naples houses. Valerie’s House has incorporated the wearing of face coverings and implemented social distancing during group nights to abide by CDC guidelines.

Dollars raised during the Every Sunset Brings the Promise of a New Dawn campaign will go directly to their mission of helping children and families work through the loss of a loved one together. Valerie’s House has a vision that No Child Grieves Alone. The campaign kicks off September 1 and will run through November 30, 2020. 

Supporters can learn more about helping Valerie’s House reach it’s $100,000 goal by visiting www.valeriehouseswfl.org and clicking the Sunset Campaign page. The organization’s Facebook page also has more details on supporting the organization.

Click HERE to donate to the Every Sunset Brings the Promise of a New Dawn campaign.

 About Valerie’s House

As the first and only organization in Southwest Florida with the sole mission of helping children grieve, Valerie’s House has helped more than 1,000 children and their families since opening its doors in 2016. The nonprofit provides a safe, comfortable place to heal following the death of a loved one. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at their home in Fort Myers at 1762 Fowler Street and Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. The organization also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations that can be made online at www.valerieshouseswfl.org or by mail to Valerie’s House, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.