Chosen Inc. to Celebrate Foster, Adoptive Families at Nov. 9 Gala

Waukesha, Wis. – Chosen Inc. (“Chosen”), a non-profit ministry dedicated to supporting foster and adoptive parenting, will celebrate these unique family-building journeys Nov. 9 at its second annual gala.

“Open Hearts, Open Homes: A Celebration of Foster and Adoptive Families” will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West, 10499 W. Innovation Drive, Wauwatosa. The evening promises to be a heartwarming gala filled with stories of love, encouragement and “Fostering Forever Families” by providing safe, loving homes for children.

Beverly Taylor, longtime TV news anchor and reporter at FOX6 in Milwaukee, will emcee the event. Taylor became familiar with Chosen Inc. after meeting its representatives at an adoption event, and reported on Chosen’s work prior to its inaugural gala in 2018.

Keynote speakers are Green Bay residents Jason and Janelle Johnson, who have adopted five children with varied ethnic backgrounds and special needs. The Johnsons have been active in the adoptive and foster care community for 17 years.

Nearly 200 guests and volunteers attended Chosen’s inaugural gala in November 2018. The event is the largest fund-raiser for Chosen’s hands-on programs, support and outreach to foster and adoptive families, and educational outreach to the community at large.

“We received tremendous feedback from our first gala, and plan this year’s event to be even better,” said Karen Schlindwein, Executive Director of Education/Development for Chosen. “We have made tremendous strides in the past year, and are excited to tell gala attendees how their support helps us meet the needs of foster and adoptive families.”

The Nov. 9 cocktail attire event includes dinner, live and silent auctions, and priceless inspiration from real-life stories. Registration is at https://one.bidpal.net/chosengala2019/ticketing.

Individual gala tickets are $75. For an additional $25 ($100 total), attendees will receive three raffle tickets for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card for Disney parks, cruises and shops.

Only 400 Disney raffle tickets will be sold through Nov. 9. Tickets can also be purchased ($10 each, or three for $25) by e-mailing info@choseninlove.org or calling (262) 724-6736.

Sponsorships are available beginning at $250. More than a dozen sponsors have signed on: Bangles & Bags, Children’s Community Health Plan, Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West, The Edge Contracting, Exciting Events, Flowers by Cammy, Foundations: Health & Wholeness, Heritage Quality Printing, International Monetary Systems, Michael Best & Friedrich, Norris Therapeutic Foster Care, SaintA, Waukesha County Foster Care, Waukesha State Bank and We Energies Foundation. Silent/live auction donations are also gladly accepted.

Chosen is dedicated to educating the public about the impact of adoption and fostering, and providing spiritual, material, and emotional support to families who have chosen these oft-misunderstood paths. The organization operates The Family Closet in Waukesha, where these families can obtain donated clothing and other needed children’s items, free of charge.

Chosen shares resource referrals to other organizations and professionals to help meet the needs of adoptive and foster families. Its long-term goals include opening a multi-family foster community to care for children in need of a loving home.

More information about Chosen is available at www.choseninlove.org, by calling (262) 853-1078, or following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OurChosenFamily.