Foster care charity Selfless Love annual gala brings in $3.6 million at The Breakers

The iconic Breakers hotel was the setting for a record-breaking night to benefit kids in the foster care system.

The Selfless Love Foundation's sixth annual gala took place April 15 and raised $3.6 million.

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Actress Melissa Peterman was emcee for the evening, which began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and brief remarks from Ashley Brown — co-founder with her husband, Ed, of Selfless Love — who announced the addition of Texas to its service area.

“My dream for Selfless Love has always been to help children in foster care nationwide," Ashley Brown said. "Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are thrilled that we can now impact youth in the state of Texas.”

The night continued with dessert, a high-end live auction, and remarks from former foster kids and their forever families, punctuated by a rendition of "We Are Family" that packed the dance floor.

The evening's highlight was the announcement that the gala had raised a record-shattering $3.6 million.

More than 300 people attended, including Kevin and Anna Lange, Michelle and Mike Fries, Catheryn Augustynowicz and Dr. Armin V. Oskouei, Nicholas and Kathrine Malinosky, Kristina and Michael O’Connor, Marie and Andy Unanue, Douglas Kegler and Zorely Faneite Kegler, Dr. Elizabeth Wynter, Patricia Poldo, Todd and Tessa McAuliffe, Lee Applebaum, Hatem Dhiab, Garry Singer, Peter and Claudia Kajanoja, and a bunch more who know there's no place like home.

Proceeds from the night assist the Selfless Love Foundation in its mission to improve the child welfare system, creating opportunities for more foster youth to find forever families and thrive in adulthood.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Selfless Love foster care gala raises $3.6 million