FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- Valerie's House supporters and guests celebrated the second annual Sunset Soirée Thursday, November 20, at the Family is Forever home at 3551 Valerie's House Way in Fort Myers.

The event raised $641,000, including sponsorships, silent auction, and the "Fund a Mission" live auction. Funds will be used to continue Valerie's House mission of helping children and families grieve the loss of loved ones.

The evening included cocktails, dinner, stories of inspiration from children and families that have been impacted by the deaths of loved ones, as well as a special message from Florida Senate President Ben Albritton.

"Our Family Is Forever Home is the perfect venue to host our many donors and supporters," said Valerie's House CEO and Founder Angela Melvin Churchill. "We are so thankful to our many donors and supporters who share our vision of no child grieving alone."

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Victory Layne Chevrolet was the presenting sponsor for the event.

Valerie's House has helped more than 7,500 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin Churchill, whose mother, Valerie, was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987.

One in 10 children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 18, according to the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie's House offers peer support groups and other activities at three Southwest Florida locations serving children and their families in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties.  Valerie's House expanded into Northwest Florida in 2021 with a home in downtown Pensacola. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.valerieshouse.org