Bright Lights, Waldo Nights returns to the Gillis Campus Gym on Friday, August 9, from 7-10 p.m. for an unforgettable evening of neon, shoulder pads, and retro ‘80s vibes. The night will feature live entertainment from the ‘80s tribute band Retroactive, with popular KCUR host Paul Nyakatura serving as the emcee. Guests will enjoy all-night dancing, an open bar, and late-night snacks, all while supporting Cornerstones of Care.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gillis and Ozanam Campus Day Treatment Schools, which serve K-12 students in need of special education and therapy services, and the Behavior Intervention Support Team (BIST) program.

A unique feature of Bright Lights, Waldo Nights is the introduction of Party Hosts – local Cornerstones of Care supporters who play a crucial role in fundraising and making a positive impact on the lives of children in Kansas City.

Kyle Tritsarolis (back left) with his family

Among this year’s Party Hosts is Kyle Tritsarolis, a Tax Transformation Program Manager at H&R Block and a newly appointed member of the Cornerstones of Care Board of Directors. For many Party Hosts, including Kyle, the choice to be involved with Cornerstones of Care is deeply personal.

“My mother was an incredible elementary school teacher,” said Kyle. “She always wanted to work in the worst school and bring hope to kids that might not have hope in other parts of their lives.” Kyle’s family often provided support and a place to stay for students at the school, helping to keep them out of foster care.

“While foster care is incredibly important, I appreciate Cornerstones of Care’s efforts to keep kids out of foster care through education and meeting people where they’re at to overcome the trauma that has happened within their families.”

In the weeks leading up to the event, Party Hosts use social media and personal fundraising pages to ask for donations and build excitement for the event. The Party Host with the most donations is crowned the “Most Fly Fundraiser” at the dance. To help garner attention, Kyle is inviting people to vote on which outfit he should wear to the event.

“My superpower is connecting people,” said Kyle. “It’s my mission to share the amazing work that Cornerstones of Care does in our community with my networks to bless them with being able to get involved and impact future generations of our community.”

Individual tickets and sponsorships for Bright Lights, Waldo Nights are still available. Those unable to attend are encouraged to visit the event page and donate through one of the Party Hosts’ fundraising sites.

“You can’t go wrong when you combine a party AND giving back to our incredible community,” said Kyle. “Whether you’re coming to celebrate with us, donating to impact the lives of children, or bringing awareness to your network, you can make an impact through Bright Lights, Waldo Nights.”