The Olivian Gala and Auction

When a family reaches out to Olivia’s House: A Grief and Loss Center for Children for support, they often don’t know what exactly they’re asking for – just that they need help. When a parent is terrified to tell their young child about a suicide or substance use disorder death, when a teenager is feeling like none of their peers understands losing a sibling, or when a father is bold enough to ask for support after losing his wife, it is our honor to be able to say “we have a book for that.”

For over 20 years, the experts at Olivia’s House have built and utilized our lending library as a powerful first line of defense against the heavy weight of grief felt by the children and families that walk through our door. The shelves of our lending library are lined with books for every age group on every type of loss imaginable. Topics you wouldn’t believe could be talked about with a child are suddenly illustrated in a way that makes their bereavement process relatable. By seeing themselves on the pages, our families recognize they are not alone.

Like the books on the shelves of our lending library, we were thrilled to see our dearest friends and supporters lining the seats during our  23rd Annual Olivian Gala. Guests enjoyed a decadent dinner prepared by Chef Parker, sipped on gourmet coffee from the Coffee Bar, snapped candid photos in the photo booth, danced the night away with fabulous sounds from Remix, and lest we forget, placed bids in the incredible auction!

Collectively, the 2025 Olivian Gala raised over $135,000 to support grieving families in our community. Without everyone’s participation—whether you were in-person or joining us from the comfort of your home—this would not have been possible. We are humbled that our community continues to recognize the value of our mission. To the unprecedented number of sponsors, donors, volunteers, and friends who helped make this evening extraordinary, thank you! It is a true honor to have your support!

We realize managing calendars can be quite the puzzle, but if you are game . . . please save the date because planning is already underway for our 24th Annual Olivian Gala on Saturday, September 26, 2026. 

For more information about the 24th Annual Olivian Gala, or to be placed on the invitation list, please email our Development Director or call 717-699-1133.