Celebrating the Spirit That Sustains Our Mission

As we enter the autumn season I’d like to take a moment to share something that you may not already know.

Contrary to popular perception, trees do not actually shed leaves through force or stress. Instead, as daylight shortens, trees build a tiny boundary called an abscission layer at the base of each stem. This thin layer of cells slowly cuts off nutrients, allowing the leaf to reveal its hidden pigments (the rich yellows, oranges, and reds) before quietly letting go.

This is a powerful metaphor for our own reflection. Autumn encourages us to pause, look back on what we have accomplished over the year, celebrate those underlying colors, and release what we no longer need to carry into the season ahead.

For Cornerstones of Care and our supporters, the annual Spirit Gala provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a communal sense of reflection, celebration and happiness.

This year’s event on Friday, Nov. 6 at the Overland Park Convention Center features an exciting “Tropical Nights” theme, and we cannot wait to gather with our extraordinary community to celebrate, connect, and reflect on the life-changing impact we make together.

The Spirit Gala is more than an evening of recognition and gourmet dining – it is a testament to the incredible community that drives our mission forward every single day. Above all, it is an opportunity to honor the heart and soul of Cornerstones of Care: our amazing volunteers and supporters.

Simply put: our volunteers make our vision a reality. Whether you are assembling classroom resources, mentoring youth, organizing drives, or helping us host signature gatherings like the Spirit Gala, your dedication ensures children and families in our care receive the vital support they need to heal and thrive. You are the foundation of every success story we celebrate.

Those achievements have been remarkable this past year and there are simply too many to list. But, please know that every milestone we reach – every child supported, every family reunited, and every young adult empowered – is directly connected to our compassionate friends who choose to step up and serve.

Dr. Yvette Richards

Turner Construction Company

At the Spirit Gala, we’ll be honoring Turner Construction Company and Dr. Yvette Richards with 2026 Spirit Awards. In both cases, I would need thousands of words to appropriately describe their contributions. Turner Construction Company has supported our mission through philanthropy, volunteerism, employee engagement, and fundraising. Their years of investment have helped create new opportunities for the children and families we serve and strengthened our work in countless ways. As President of our Governing Board of Directors, Dr. Richards has helped guide our organization through significant growth, while opening doors to new partnerships and opportunities across the Kansas City community.

On behalf of our entire team, I want to say thank you to both Turner Construction Company and Dr. Richards as well as to all the dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and tireless advocates who give so freely of their passion and talent. Your presence and support at the Spirit Gala directly power our work for the year ahead.

Together, we are creating lasting change, and I cannot wait to celebrate with you on Nov. 6!