Manatee Children’s Services Celebrates 50 Years of Impact with “Waves of Hope” Gala
Manatee Children’s Services (MCS) will commemorate five decades of serving children and families in the community with its signature fundraising event, “Waves of Hope: Cheers to 50 Years!”, on Saturday, February 20, 2027, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Mote SEA, located at 225 University Town Center Drive in Sarasota.
The milestone gala will bring together community leaders, supporters, advocates, and friends of Manatee Children’s Services for an inspiring evening dedicated to preventing child abuse and strengthening the lives of children and families throughout the region.
The event will feature cocktails, dinner, entertainment, prestigious live and silent auction items, and opportunities to support the mission of MCS while celebrating the organization’s 50-year legacy of hope, healing, and prevention.
“For 50 years, Manatee Children’s Services has been a steadfast advocate for children and families facing abuse,” said Melinda Thompson, MCS Chief Executive Officer. “This gala is an opportunity not only to celebrate the lives that have been impacted through our work, but also to invest in the future of child abuse prevention and family support services in our community.”
Since its founding, MCS has provided critical programs and resources designed to protect children, strengthen families, and prevent abuse before it occurs. Funds raised through the Waves of Hope Gala will directly support programs that empower families, prevent abuse, and create safer environments for children.
Guests are encouraged to embrace the evening’s festive atmosphere with cocktail attire.
Early-bird tickets are available through December 1, 2026, at $175 per person or $325 per couple. Beginning December 2, tickets will be $200 per person or $375 per couple. Sponsorship opportunities and event tickets are available at http://www.mcsgala.com
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Together, we can create a future where every child feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. Join us as we celebrate 50 years of impact and invest in the next 50 years of hope for children and families in our community.
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About Manatee Children’s Services: Manatee Children’s Services, a Child Advocacy Center dedicated to preventing child abuse, provides a full spectrum of programs serving over 12,000 children and families annually. Our mission is “preventing child abuse, restoring healing, and strengthening all children and their families through advocacy, treatment, and shelter.” Since our start in 1977 as the community’s first and only emergency shelter for abused children in foster care, Manatee Children’s Services now offers programs in treatment, prevention, intervention, and residential services.
