The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association will host its 10th annual gala Nov. 15 at Capitol Plaza Hotel.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event - featuring silent and live auctions and programming about abused and neglected children in Mid-Missouri - continues until 8 p.m.
Ashley Rhodes-Courter, author of New York Times bestseller "Three Little Words," her autobiographical story about growing up in foster care, will be the keynote speaker. Rhodes-Courter suffered from cruelty and abuse until she was assigned a court-appointed advocate who found her a home with Gail and Phil Courter, who eventually adopted her.
This year's gala theme - "Celebrating the Past, Present and Future" - pays tribute to CMFCAA's humble start and rapid growth.
The organization was operated out of the trunk of a Chevrolet Cavalier, supports 640 foster families and has helped hundreds of children find adoptive families.
November is Adoption Awareness Month. Missouri has more than 1,400 foster children who need forever families, CMFCAA founder DeAnna Alonso said.
The gala will feature live music and a three-course meal.
Tickets ($40 each or $70 for two) and sponsorships are available at mofosteradopt.com/gala or by calling 573-298-0258.