Please Join Us For Families Forward’s 2026 Light Up the Night Gala
Hope on the Horizon
August 29, 2026
5:30pm to 10:00pm
Newport Dunes, A Waterfront Resort and Marina
Hope is on the horizon for families working hard to build and maintain stability for their children—and that hope exists because of you.
Join us at the Light Up the Night Gala for an unforgettable evening. Together, we can continue supporting our neighbors as they build thriving, successful futures.
Evening Schedule
Cocktail Reception: 5:30 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM
Live Music & Dancing: 9:00 PM
Parking:
Hosted self-parking
Attire
Suggested Attire: Beach Chic for an Evening on the Sand
Please see the inspiration board for ideas.
Please note that the event will take place on both concrete and sand, so we recommend footwear that can comfortably be worn in the sand.
Accessibility
A portion of the evening will take place in the sand. If you or any of your guests need accommodations to avoid walking in the sand, please let us know. We are happy to accommodate.
Celebrating This Year’s Honorees
Thank You to Our 2026 Gala Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Meg and Brian English
Michael Kaufman
Silver Sponsors
Teri and Alan Hoops
Susan McClintic and Michael Gilbert
Bronze Sponsors
Kevin Andrade
Marcia and Mark Engstrom
Trish and Steve Scarborough
Nancy and Irv Chase
Jacqueline Erickson Russell & Grant Russell
Kate Starr & Mossbarger Family
Patrons
Jim Boyle
Brooke and Ryan Chase
Bob Davis and Susan Hori
The Henigan Family
Nancy and Marvin Press
Benefactors
Patt and Roger Grable
Lidia and James Klingler
Susan Panattoni
Mina Rassekh
Underwriters
Décor
Photography
Debra Harkness
Thank You to Our 2026 Auction Donors
Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine • Angels Baseball • Anna Murphy-Duehring • Artime Barro • Athleta • Blue Hummingbird Coffee • Brooke & Ryan Chase • Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas • City Cruises • Claudia Bustos • Dave & Busters • Diane Liljestrom • Golden State Foods • Gorjana • Greg & Nor Killingsworth • Grocery Outlet Woodbridge, Djibia & Haoua Mangue • Hand & Stone • Jen McLean • K1 Speed • Lawrence Hart • Milari Jewelry • Newport Landing • NickCo Hospitality Group • Orange County Soccer Club • Pacific Catch • Pretend City • Roger’s Gardens • Row House • Sawdust Art Festival • Sean Nagle, Swag Forge USA •Segerstrom Center for the Arts • Sender One • Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store • South Coast Winery Resort & Spa • Starfish • Sunwest Bank • Terranea Resort: Palos Verdes Resorts • The Goldfinch • The Huntington • The Lot • Uprising Seeds • VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa