The ESSE Care team recently had the honor of attending—and sponsoring—the fourth annual Galentine’s Day Ball hosted by Jaclyn Sandoval and her dedicated fundraising committee. This year’s event was a remarkable night of purpose, impact, and heartfelt community.
From cocktails and dinner to dancing, raffle prizes, and a spirited live auction, the evening had all the glamour and laughter you would expect from a Galentine’s gathering. But the heart of the event was something much deeper: a shared commitment to supporting Friends of Karen, an organization that stands beside families when they need it most.
About Friends of Karen: A Lifeline for Families Facing the Unimaginable
Friends of Karen provides emotional, financial, and advocacy support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families throughout the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut). Their mission is simple yet profound: to help families remain stable, functioning, and able to cope during the most difficult chapters of their lives.
The organization began in 1978 with one family and one young girl—Karen MacInnes—and has since expanded to serve more than 18,000 children and their families. Despite that growth, the heart of their work remains unchanged: show up, support, and stand with families in crisis.
A Night to Remember: The 2026 Galentine’s Day Ball at Whitby Castle
This year’s event was nothing short of extraordinary. A room filled with strong, supportive women came together to celebrate friendship, connection, and the power of community-driven generosity. As the committee beautifully put it:
“Galentine’s is more than a fundraiser — it is the ultimate GIRLS night… a reminder that we are never meant to do life alone.”
Between the dancing and the heartfelt “ugly-cry” moments (and there were plenty!), guests rallied to achieve the largest fundraising total in the event’s history.
Fundraising Milestones
- 2023: $17,000
- 2024: $41,000
- 2025: $53,000
- 2026: $111,000 raised
This record-setting achievement speaks to the compassion and determination of everyone who showed up—not only to celebrate, but to truly make a difference.
Why the Friends of Karen Mission Matters to Us
“A beautiful evening for an amazing cause. ESSE Care was honored to be a sponsor of the 2026 Galentine’s Ball in support of Friends of Karen. We are so proud to help with their mission of providing care to critically ill children and their families.” – Dr. Karli Provost Goldstein
At ESSE Care, supporting organizations like Friends of Karen is deeply aligned with our values. Families facing the uncertainty of a child’s illness carry emotional weight, logistical challenges, and financial burdens that are often invisible to the outside world. We believe that no family should face those hardships alone.
Our partnership with Friends of Karen reflects our commitment to compassionate, community-centered care. Their mission mirrors our own belief that every family deserves to feel supported, informed, and uplifted—especially during their most vulnerable moments. We look forward to continuing our support of Friends of Karen and the remarkable work they do for children and families across the region.
Additional Resources
- Donate to Friends of Karen here.
- Get involved by volunteering or hosting a fundraiser.
- Know someone who needs support? Find out how to apply for help.
