Over $225,000 Raised At 2025 Sunset Luau
What a night! Thanks to our amazing sponsors, vendors, donors, and attendees, this year’s Sunset Luau presented by TowneBank raised over $225,000 to give a sunrise to local families in their darkest hours. Your generosity and energy made the evening unforgettable, and...
A Big Thank You To Our 2025 Luau Sponsors!
Thank you to all the sponsors for our 4th annual Sunset Luau Presented by TowneBank! We can't wait to celebrate with everyone.
After Mother Died During Childbirth, REF Provided Essential Baby Items
After a local woman passed away during childbirth, the baby faced the possibility of entering foster care due to the father's absence. The sister-in-law assumed custody to care for the newborn. REF provided essential items to help care for the baby.
Supporting A Local Family After Fire
A mother and her three kids lost everything in a fire and were forced to stay on friends' couches. When they found a new home, REF covered the deposit to help them move in quickly.
REF Helps Homeless Man After Cancer Diagnosis
After a tumor was identified, a homeless man was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a poor prognosis. With no shelter beds available for the weekend, REF provided a hotel stay until emergency shelter placement became available.
REF Helps Mother and Son After Strokes
A mother and adult son, living together, both had strokes in the same month. With limited income and mounting bills, REF stepped in to cover rent and help them stay on track during their recoveries.
REF Helps Homeless Teen
After being abandoned by his mother, a 17-year-old student was left homeless. His best friend’s family took him in, despite their own financial strain. He arrived with nothing—sharing everything from clothes to toiletries. REF stepped in to provide the essentials:...
Helping To Rebuild After Fire
After a fire destroyed his bedroom, a local high schooler was left with nowhere to sleep or do his homework. The River Ellis Foundation provided a new bed, bedding, desk and chair to help him rebuild his space.
REF Cover’s Cremation Costs For Baby
A 7 month old baby in the NICU tragically passed away after experiencing sudden respiratory distress. REF stepped in to cover the cremation costs, easing the family's financial burden as they grieved their unimaginable loss.
REF Helps Student After Brain Bleed
A local high school graduate suffered a brain bleed while attending JMU, losing function on her right side and the ability to speak. After weeks of rehabilitation, she regained the ability to walk but continued to suffer from significant impairments in strength and...
REF Helps Family While Receiving Treatment At St Jude
A Chesapeake mother was forced to stop working so that she could be by her child's side during cancer treatment at St. Jude Children's Hospital. REF covered rent for this family until the mother could return to work.
REF Helps CHKD Nurse Provide For Grandchildren
A nurse at CHKD suddenly became the sole caretaker of her daughter and four grandchildren after her daughter delivered a premature baby and suffered a stroke. To ease the immediate financial burden, REF stepped in to cover the grandmother's rent.