Events
Heroes for Hope Gala 2026
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Our Heroes For Hope Gala Returns This Fall on Thursday, October 8th at Army Navy Country Club in Arlings, Virginia!
Every fall, the Chris Atwood Foundation brings together a community united by one powerful mission: to honor courage, celebrate recovery, and spark lasting change.
The Heroes for Hope Gala is returning this October as an inspiring evening where stories take center stage—stories of resilience, leadership, healing, and hope. Guests will experience powerful award presentations, moving personal narratives, and meaningful connection with peers, advocates, and changemakers across the recovery community.
Your participation in the Heroes for Hope Gala directly fuels life-saving programs across the region:
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35,000+ individuals served across all CAF programs
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2,708 lives saved through free naloxone distribution
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Individuals engaging with the RCC are 8x more likely to receive evidence-based treatment than the national average
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2,591 people housed through recovery housing grants
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2,889 individuals served at the Recovery Community Center (RCC)
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134,344 doses of naloxone distributed across Virginia
This is more than a gala. It is a reminder that recovery is real, and it is happening every day.
Sponsorship directly strengthens and expands access to critical services including peer recovery support, recovery housing, harm reduction resources, re-entry assistance, and employment pathways—services that save lives and help individuals build sustainable recovery.
Honorees are selected for their leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. If someone has inspired you, supported your journey, or changed your community—this is your opportunity to honor them.
HopeFest 2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our sold out HopeFest 2026 presented by Leidos! This year's event raised $31,000 to support recovery in our community!
👇 Scroll through the photos below to relive some of the fun and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more photos and videos from the event!
If you missed the event or didn't have a chance to donate yet, it's not too late. You can still make a donation to support those in recovery.
Thank you HopeFest 2026 Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
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2025 Heroes for Hope Gala
Thanks to our incredible community's generosity and support, our 2025 Heroes for Hope Gala raised an astounding $172,000 — with over 280 attendees joining us in celebration and $55,000 raised from the paddle raiser and raffle tickets alone.
This generous support is already making stories like this possible:
One individual came to us over a year ago, lost and out of options — he found safety in our support groups, a peer to walk beside him, and a recovery housing grant. Today, he’s back — not for help, but to train in our academy to become a peer himself and turn his pain into a purpose helping others.
This is the kind of impact your support makes possible. Because of you, we can continue offering FREE, life-changing programs and peer training that empower people to reclaim their lives and give back to their communities. See some of the highlights of the night and find your Photo Booth pics!
Thank you Heroes for Hope 2025 Sponsors!
Hero Sponsors:
Sidekick Sponsors:
Supporter Sponsors:
HOPEFest
Our annual Spring FUNdraiser, HOPEFest brings our community together for a family friendly day of food, fun and fellowship.
