Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
Foster families, community leaders and supporters gathered Friday, May 8, at the Wetumpka Civic Center for the third annual Ivy’s Gala: A Night of Gratitude, an evening dedicated to honoring those who open their homes and hearts to children in need.
Hosted through a partnership between Ivy’s Closet, Elmore County Department of Human Resources and the Elmore County Juvenile Court, the gala celebrated the impact of foster parents while raising awareness and support for children in foster care across Elmore County.
Serving as emcee for the evening was WSFA Chief Meteorologist, Josh Johnson, whose warmth and humor helped guide the program and kept the atmosphere uplifting throughout the night.
Guests were welcomed with vendor booths, a silent auction and live music from Blackberry Breeze. Throughout the evening, attendees shopped with local vendors, bid on auction items and connected with others who shared a passion for supporting foster families.
The program opened with remarks from Carter Taunton, a juvenile probation officer with Elmore County Juvenile Court, who reflected on both her professional role and her family’s personal experience as foster parents.
“I am a juvenile probation officer working under Judge Ben Baxley, and apparently, I traded one challenging career for another because someone looked at my life and thought, you know what she really needs? She needs a badge,” Taunton said.
Taunton said her connection to foster care remains deeply personal.
“Even in this new role, my heart still deeply aligns with the foster care community,” she said. “My family and I had the opportunity to become foster parents ourselves. Through all the emotions, learning curves, and realizing how quickly 13-year-old boys require Axe every 14 minutes, we saw God’s blessings and faithfulness in ways we could never forget.”
Taunton also expressed her appreciation for the community support that continues to surround foster families in Elmore County.
“Every year I am more and more grateful for this community and its support for our foster families,” Taunton said. “There is something to be said about our church families, schools, and business leaders invest in this cause and stand behind us as we honor those who stand in the gap. This year we added a live band and that was a game changer! Everyone loved the vibe and the icing on the cake was having Josh Johnson as our incredible Emcee!”
Elmore County District Judge Ben Baxley praised the collaborative spirit that defines the county’s juvenile court system and the foster families who serve children facing difficult circumstances.
“Elmore County is a very special place,” Baxley said. “We work in a court system that deals with very difficult issues, but somehow through it all, we understand that the best interest of the children we are seeking help for transcends the petty differences that sometimes arise in a court setting.”
Baxley described foster parenting as one of society’s most challenging callings.
“These children do not come cleanly packaged and ready for the next step in their life,” Baxley said. “They are often carrying fear, anger, confusion, trauma, disappointment and heartbreak.”
He said foster parents are asked to create stability and safety during some of the most uncertain moments in a child’s life.
Baxley reminded those in attendance of the importance of investing in children.
“Truth is, when it comes to our children, our children are our most valuable commodity,” he said.
Dinner was catered by Woodcraft Café and served by students from Elmore County High School and the Wetumpka High School JROTC following an invocation by Clint Landry, pastor of First Baptist Church Wetumpka.
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came during the Youth Foster Panel, where young people shared firsthand how foster parents changed the trajectory of their lives.
Kathleen Calhoun, president of Ivy’s Closet, said hearing those stories left a lasting impression.
“I felt the youth panel was especially impactful this year,” Calhoun said. “Hearing the youth speak so proudly about the difference foster parents made in their lives brought emotion throughout the room.”
Calhoun said the gala served both as a celebration of current foster families and a call to action.
“Our event not only recognized our current foster families but also raised awareness of the growing need for new foster parents here in Elmore County,” Calhoun said. “Ivy’s Closet is incredibly blessed by the support of our community, and we look forward to all we will be able to do for foster children and foster families in the coming year through the funds raised at the Gala.”
Kasey Emmons, secretary of Ivy’s Closet, said the participation of local vendors helped make the evening even more memorable.
“Our vendors brought so much heart, creativity and energy to this year’s Gala,” Emmons said. “Guests absolutely loved visiting each table, supporting local businesses and experiencing the unique touches every vendor added to the evening.”
“Their generosity and enthusiasm helped make the event feel truly special from start to finish,” Emmons said.
The evening concluded with more live music from Blackberry Breeze, giving guests an opportunity to reflect on the stories shared and the lives touched through foster care.
As the final notes of music echoed through the Wetumpka Civic Center, the evening closed as a powerful reminder that foster families are never alone. Surrounded by dedicated advocates, generous sponsors, local businesses, and a supportive community, Elmore County continues to stand behind those who open their hearts and homes, affirming that their love, sacrifice, and commitment to children truly matter.
Ivy’s Closet is a 501c3, non-profit that serves foster children and families across the tri-county area by providing free clothing, furniture, toiletries, and essential items. In partnership with Elmore County DHR and local foster agencies, they work to ensure that every child entering care is met with dignity, comfort, and immediate support.
For more information about Ivy’s Closet, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/IVYSCLOSETELMORE.
