September 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

The season of giving has arrived, and our hearts are full of gratitude for you – our caring community. In times when many nonprofits are struggling, your support keeps hope alive for the families we serve. Keep scrolling to see the joy you help create and the many ways you can continue to make a difference.

With gratitude,

Your Wesley House Family

Double your impact for the Inez Martin Food Program!

Help us reach our $20k goal by September 30th
We have been blessed to receive a $10,000 match donation from the Marion Stevens Fund at the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. Now through September 30th, every donation will be doubled to support the Food Program at Inez Martin Child Development Center.
Inez Martin is one of the few preschools in Key West that provides free daily meals to the students. With your support, every child will receive daily breakfast, a hot lunch, and an afternoon snack. Any amount makes a difference in helping us achieve our $20,000 goal by September 30th. A child who is nourished can focus and learn! To put the food costs into perspective, $600 per day provides lunch for 100 students.
Please click the link below to donate via the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys.
Your support is greatly appreciated! 

The Big Splash –
A Stormy Twist, But Still Grateful! 

Well, The Big Splash didn’t go quite as planned. Due to severe lightning, we had to cancel to ensure everyone’s safety. It was certainly a splash – just not the one we were hoping for. Despite the unexpected storms, we’re choosing to focus on what truly matters: the dedication, generosity, and spirit of our community.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and hardworking staff who gave their all to bring this event to life. Your commitment does not go unnoticed. The sun will shine again, and we look forward to making an even bigger splash next year.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

TIDAL WAVE TITAN
All Keys Port-a-Lets · Cafe Largo / Bayside Grille / Bayside Sunset Bar
Centennial Bank · 
Citrus Family Care Network · HNO Productions
Keys Jewish Community Center · Keys Weekly
RESF Island Properties · Robbie’s Marina · Time Out Magazine

WAVE MAKER 
Regan Roth Insurance · Jacob’s Aquatic Center

HYDRO HERO
Baptist Health · Courtyard Marriott Key West · Doc’s Diner
First State Bank · Houston Insurance Agency · Largo SaveCoin Laundry

SPLASH SUPPORTER 
Burton Memorial United Methodist Church · CBT Construction · Coral Reef Title Co.
Irwin’s Air · Key Largo Art Gallery
Lorie Leal, Realtor – American Caribbean Real Estate
Linda Downs & Angie Majors · Sunshine Cleaning of Key West · Vital Signs

Healthy Families
Team Building

Our Healthy Families team members from Key West and Key Largo recently met in Marathon for a team-building and staff appreciation event. Their dedication to the families they serve is unparalleled and much appreciated! 

 

Join the Holiday Village Magic!
Community Booth & Sponsors Needed

We’re gearing up to make this year’s Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride the biggest and brightest yet — and we need your help to make it happen! The festivities will take place on Friday, December 5th, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater in Key West. The BeLighted bike ride leaves at 8 pm and will end at the official afterparty – Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon!
Sponsorship opportunities are now available, ranging from $250 to $5,000 — a perfect way to show your support and get your business in front of thousands of local families.
The Holiday Village is all about the kids, and the true spirit of this event lies in our community partners. We have available space for community booths to provide an interactive activity for the kids. Please click the link below to register.
Sponsorship commitments are needed by October 10, 2025, to be included in our advertising.
Thank you to our current sponsors:
OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY and BIKE RIDE SPONSOR
Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon
SHINING STAR SPONSORS
The Cheryl Cates Memorial Foundation
Mt. Sinai Medical Center
The Keys Weekly Newspapers
SILVER BELLS SPONSORS
All Keys Port-A-Lets
Historic Tours of America
The Key West Woman’s Club
SANTA’S HELPERS SPONSORS
John & Alice Calleja
Caleb & Calder Sloan’s Awesome Foundation
Evan & Barbara Corns
Dale & Susie Emerick
Keys Federal Credit Union
Key West Fine Wines
Key West United Methodist Church
Joel & Deborah Meisel
Monroe Concrete
Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc.
Penley Produce Vacation Homes
MISTLETOE MAGIC SPONSOR
Bender & Associates Architects
Check Electric
CD Anchor Food Trucks
Paul & Becky Simpson
THE NICE LIST
Bill & Elizabeth Entenmann
John & Karen Lockwood
Jon & Eliza Lewis

Meet Stephanie:
A Client Success Story

Stephanie is a former Wesley House client who went through a rough patch. She put in the hard work to improve herself and reunify with her three children. They are now happily living in Michigan, surrounded by family. Check out our video wall to view her full success story. We are so proud of her!

Adopt-A-Family: Bring Joy This Holiday Season

Wesley House Family Services invites you to take part in the Adopt-A-Family Christmas Gift Giving Campaign — a meaningful way to support children and families in our programs during the holiday season. Behind every number is a family. This year, 305 families need us — and with your generosity, we can share the true spirit of the holidays.

This initiative is specifically for the clients of Wesley House, including:

  • Children in foster care
  • Families in the Healthy Families program
  • Intact families who are currently at risk

These individuals and families are facing significant hardships. By participating, you can help ensure they have gifts to unwrap on Christmas morning — offering not just joy, but a sense of hope for brighter days ahead.

Your generosity will be a true blessing.
If you’re interested in adopting a family or would like more information, please click the link below or call 305.809.5000.

Adopting a family for the Holidays is easy!
1. Click the link below and complete the form by October 17th. You decide the family size that you want to shop for.
2. We will provide your family’s wishlist by November 7th. 
3. Shop and wrap the gifts. Deliver to the Wesley House offices on December 10th or 11th.
4. We will provide you with gift tags and delivery instructions closer to the delivery dates.

If you’re unable to shop, a monetary donation can still bring joy this season. Visit www.WesleyHouse.org/Christmas to donate.

THANK YOU for helping us make the season a little brighter.

Share the Love:
Donate to Our 2026
Online Auction

In February 2025, Wesley House Family Services transformed the historic Valentine’s Auction into a Keys-wide online event — and thanks to your support, it was a tremendous success.

Now, we’re setting our sights on the next auction, happening February 4th-14th, 2026, and we’re reaching out early to make it even bigger and better.

Why Now?
We understand that fall and winter can be hectic. That’s why we’re inviting you to donate now, during the slower summer months. Early donations give us more time to promote your item or service — while ensuring it will not be used before the official auction date.

What We’re Looking For:
We’re seeking high-quality items and experiences, including:

  • Luxury goods and designer items
  • Hotel stays and travel packages
  • Spa services and wellness experiences
  • Fine dining and restaurant gift cards
  • Art, home décor, and handcrafted goods
  • Jewelry and boutique items

Your contribution directly supports families and children throughout the Florida Keys.

Let’s make the 2026 Valentine’s Auction our best one yet — together.

To donate or learn more, contact Grace Epperly at Grace.Epperly@​WesleyHouse.org​ or follow the link below.

Heartfelt Thank You to Sunrise Rotary of Key West!

We are incredibly grateful to the Sunrise Rotary of Key West for generously donating a new playground storage shed for the Inez Martin Child Development Center and for spending a Saturday morning assembling it!

Their hard work and community spirit will have a lasting impact, helping us better serve the children and families who rely on our center every day. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to making a difference!

Key Largo Valentine’s Gala

On February 14, 2026, our Key Largo Office event grounds will transform into a beautiful venue to Share the Love! We invite you to join us in this historic Wesley House tradition, now hosted in the Upper Keys!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available: 

SHARE THE LOVE SPONSOR – $5,000 Table of Ten with Premium Seating, Full-page ad in the program, Logo on the Photo Backdrop, Social Media, Radio, Poster, and Event sponsor recognition.

CHERUB CHAMPION SPONSOR – $2,500 Table of Ten with Premium Seating, Half-Page ad in the program, Social Media, Poster, and Event sponsor recognition.

GALA TABLE HOST – $1,500 Private table up to 10 seats

HEART OF GOLD SPONSOR – $1,000 includes 4 tickets, Social Media, and Event recognition.

SWEETHEART SPONSOR – $500 Includes 2 tickets and recognition in the program.

FRIEND OF WESLEY HOUSE – $250 A gesture of support with recognition in the program.

Underwriting Sponsorships are also available. Please contact Grace.Epperly@W​esleyHouse.org to learn more. 

Deadline to be included in advertising for sponsorship is December 30th

Join us in making a difference - support Wesley House today!