Saturday, October 24, 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Naperville
1823 Abriter Court, Naperville, Illinois, 60563

2026 EMPOWER Gala – Dream. Believe. Become.

This year’s fun-filled evening will celebrate the powerful impact of empowering kids to realize their purpose, know their value, and discover their pathway. Together, we will continue building resilient kids who say “NO” to destructive choices and “YES” to endless possibilities.

Saturday, October 24, 2026
5:30pm – Cocktail Reception

7:00pm – Dinner, Program, Auction, Music

Exciting Live Auction and Raffle

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Naperville
1823 Abriter Court
Naperville, Illinois, 60563

Tickets and Sponsorships

2025 EMPOWER Gala Photos

Our 2025 EMPOWER Gala was filled with laughter, joy, and unforgettable moments, making it a truly unforgettable experience. If you missed out on the festivities or simply want to relive the magic, feel free to look through our photos below!

Check out a preview of our favorites!

Gala Photos

2025 EMPOWER Gala Photos

Our 2025 EMPOWER Gala was filled with laughter, joy, and unforgettable moments, making it a truly unforgettable experience. If you missed out on the festivities or simply want to relive the magic, feel free to look through our photos below!

Gala Photos

2025 Guest Speaker, Mariel Hemingway

Mariel Hemingway has inspired many through her film career and six published books, including Healthy Living from the Inside Out and her memoir Out Came the Sun. Today, she empowers others through her self-embodiment programs, guiding people toward authenticity, mindfulness, and purposeful living.

We are so grateful that Mariel was able to share her amazing message with us.

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2025 Kid's Champion Award Recipient, Liz Spencer

We were so happy to be able to present the 2025 Kid’s Champion Award to Liz Spencer! Liz has supported KidsMatter in a variety of important ways, and we are so thankful for her!

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2025 Gala Emcee, Alan Krashesky

Our emcee for the night was former ABC7 Chicago News Anchor, Alan Krashesky. Alan is a trusted Chicago journalist who spent more than 40 years with ABC7, anchoring the station’s most-watched newscasts. We were so thankful for him to join our EMPOWER Gala lineup!

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Thank you to our 2025 sponsors

Twilight Dreamer Sponsor

Dream Weaver Sponsor

The Winding Way Sponsor

Glimmering Highlight Sponsor

Moonbeam Benefactor Sponsors

Dream Spark Sponsors

In-Kind Sponsors

Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants Logo
Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants Logo
Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants Logo
Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants Logo

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225 W Jefferson Avenue, Suite 1

Naperville, IL 60540

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KidsMatter Foundation, Inc. is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. KidsMatter Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 36-4448507. BRIDGE (Basic Registry of Identified Global Entities) number is 5570260059.

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