The Center for Grieving Children, in its post-pandemic return to its annual winter Love Gala on Feb. 3 at Thompson’s Point, celebrated 35 years of providing free support to children and families touched by loss. About 250 guests turned out in cocktail attire, despite sub-zero temperatures that night.

“Look at this turnout, when it’s going to be as cold out as it has been in five decades,” said Steve Borgman of Falmouth.

The gala featured live music by The Waiters, hors d’oeuvres by The Blue Elephant, a photo booth courtesy of Portside Real Estate Group and lounge areas by The Styled Home. Through sponsors, ticket sales, a live auction and sponsor-a-child donations, the event raised more than $150,000 to support the Center’s programs, which are free for families.

“My girls’ biological mother died when they were little, and the Center made a big difference,” Megan Tumavicus of Portland said. “They both volunteered, too, when they got older.”

Emcee and former board member Erin Ovalle said, “I lost my Dad and was a grieving 25-year-old when I moved to Portland and found the Center. Expressing feelings in a safe space is a critical part of healing from a loss.”

Attendees also included Mark Curdo, the deejay whose annual “Markathon” on WCYY has raised $723,000 for the Center for Grieving Children over the past 14 years. “It’s my way of showing my appreciation of having my family – my parents – my whole life,” Curdo said. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to go through losing a family member. When I do have a close loss, there will be people to support me, if needed.”

The Center was founded in 1987 by Portland resident Bill Hemmens after the death of his sister, whose daughter needed support in her time of grief. A Bill Hemmens award is presented in his memory at every Love Gala, with the 2023 honor going to Beth Elicker of Cape Elizabeth.

Elicker has been involved with the Center since 1994, as the first graduate student intern and, later, the first coordinator for the Life-Threatening Illness program. She has been consulting as a facilitator trainer since 1998 and estimates that she has trained more than 1,500 volunteers for direct service with families.

A surprise second recognition – the Love Award – was presented in appreciation of committed donors and volunteers Paul and Janet Letalien of Portland.

“We love to see the mission continue,” Paul Letalien said. “The organization continues to grow, with sites in Portland and Sanford and shifting online.”

Janet Letalien added, “I lost my father when I was 5 years old, and this organization would have been a place where I could talk about my grief and not have to hide it.”

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at amyparadysz@gmail.com.

This story was updated at 4:20 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, to correct the date of the gala.