Child Advocacy Center celebrates 18th Annual Signature Fundraiser on October 22
Press release from the Child Advocacy Center
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) celebrates its 18th Annual Signature Fundraiser on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 6:00-9:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe River Ranch in Alachua. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. After three years of the Wild West, the CAC is excited to present this year’s new theme, Gainesville Gone Home! Will you join us?!
This new theme honors the towns and businesses in Alachua County that make this community so great! Get ready for an evening of nostalgia, vintage photos, and unforgettable memories. The event is planned by a committee of volunteers, led by Beyond Expectations Event Planner Susan Emerson, and features a sit-down dinner by Hill’s BBQ, a signature drink, and bourbon tasting by The Good Pour, music entertainment by Tom Collett of TDC Entertainment, and the debut of the CAC’s newest mission video created by Merge Event Group. A variety of items will be featured in the event’s silent auction in person, but also in an online auction which will be available to the public starting Sunday, October 18, at noon and will remain open until Friday, October 23, at 9:00 p.m. It’s all to come together and reflect on the impact the CAC has had on the thousands of children in our community who were abused, neglected, or trafficked. This year, home is not just a place – it’s that feeling of comfort and safety every child deserves to feel. If you’re interested in sponsoring, purchasing tickets, and/or donating to the silent auction, please visit the event page on the CAC’s website at www.cacgainesville.org. Our impact has been so great – because of donors like YOU!
All proceeds from the evening will directly support the CAC and its mission to break the cycle of child abuse in Alachua County. Since its inception in 1999, the CAC has made tremendous strides in creating a compassionate community where children and families are supported as they heal from trauma and violence. We strongly believe that every child deserves a safe and happy childhood. As members of our community, we recognize the importance for all of us to work together to break the cycle of child abuse and improve outcomes for child victims and their families. The impact the CAC and its partner agencies have on our community is significant. Together, they provide a child-friendly, trauma-responsive space and network of support where children can transition from victims and survivors to thrivers!
In 2025, over 5,000 cases of child abuse were reported in Alachua County, meaning 10% of the children in our community were affected. The pandemic has greatly impacted the children and families in our community and led to the rise in the severity of these cases that still continues to be witnessed today. Last year, the center served 4,482 children and caregivers. Our team is actively working towards meeting the needs of all children and caregivers who have been impacted by abuse and continuing to shed light on the prevalence of this injustice. The need for this event in supporting the CAC is even more critical now than ever to allow thousands of children in Alachua County to receive necessary services in order to heal. The CAC can only help children with the generous support of this community, and we are incredibly grateful for 18 years of this fabulous event!