06/05/2026
Wow! What an incredible evening!
Our supporters truly showed up for Harvest Your Imagination – Gala in the Garden last Saturday, and we are filled with gratitude for everyone who helped make this year's event such a success.
For the first time, we took the celebration outdoors, welcoming guests to beautiful Ward Farm, tucked behind Ward Manufacturing at 2230 Main Street. The farm is a special place for our Baby Toddler Nursery children, who love visiting their neighbors next door, making it the perfect setting for an evening dedicated to nurturing young children and strengthening families.
We were especially honored to recognize three outstanding champions of our community: Ward Manufacturing, Evanston Grows, the dedicated stewards of the garden, and our own Cara Strong, Director of Finance, whose commitment and leadership help make our work possible every day.
To every guest who attended, every supporter who purchased a Golden Ticket for a chance to win a dream trip (congratulations, Denise!), every donor, volunteer, and advocate—thank you. Your generosity helps ensure that children and families in our community receive the support they need to thrive.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This year, we achieved a record-breaking level of sponsorship support, and we are deeply grateful to the many individuals and businesses who invested in our mission. Your partnership makes our work possible. Please take a moment to view our sponsor photo and support these generous community partners whenever you can.
A Culinary Experience to Remember
Guests are still talking about the food—and for good reason! We extend our heartfelt thanks to our talented chefs and culinary partners:
Tom Carlin, Burl
Malik Kemokai, Sissy Mary's Kitchen
Gustav Anderson, Good Stuff Eats
Nina Wade, Free Flow Kitchen
Rocio Mancera, Gorditos & Antojotos Moni Catering
Nicole Henry, Chicky's Kitchen Creations
A special thank you goes to Mary Grace Aceron, whose beautiful desserts from Graceful Creations were the perfect sweet ending to the evening. We are also grateful to The Laundry Café for providing delicious coffee, and to our Board of Directors for creating a truly epic charcuterie display that guests couldn't stop admiring.
Please support these outstanding local businesses and culinary artists.
Entertainment That Brought the Garden to Life
The evening was filled with creativity, energy, and wonder thanks to our amazing performers:
DJ Mwelwa
"Tron" (Amandatron5000, PhD), multidisciplinary performance artist
Spectre-Xenosthetics, face and body artist
Lion, juggler
Rissi Pacheco, poi artist
Mama Ryn Spinney, stilt walker
Their talents transformed the garden into a magical celebration unlike any other.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us create an unforgettable evening in support of children and families. Together, we are building a stronger, more vibrant community.
We'll see you in 2027 for another unforgettable adventure! 🌿✨
