By Denise Dunbar | ddunbar@alextimes.com

The 15th annual “Toast to Hope” fundraiser for the nonprofit Stop Child Abuse Now
was held on Oct. 28 at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The event — which encouraged more than 300 guests to “Light the Way for Children and Families” — included food and beverage tastings as well as live music, a silent auction and a live auction emceed by former Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley.

The event raised more than $140,000 to support child abuse prevention programs in Northern Virginia.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2017 Cleary Award to Wells Fargo. Over the years, dozens of local Wells Fargo employees have actively engaged
with SCAN’s volunteer programs, providing meals at parenting classes, teaching family budgets to parents in parent support groups, serving on SCAN’s Board of Directors and volunteering at community events like Rock at the Row and SCAN’s Croquet Day.

The Cleary Award was created to honor SCAN’s founder, Dave Cleary, and recognize both individuals and organizations whose dedication and commitment to children and families stand out in ways that make a positive difference in the lives of children in Northern Virginia.