Annual Grow the Village Gala

Grow the Village Gala is one of our favorite nights of the year – an evening when our community comes together for fellowship, celebration, and to raise support for vulnerable families in our city and beyond. We love hosting this beautiful event and connecting with those who are passionate about creating brighter futures for children and families in our community. Join us for dinner and drinks, inspiring guest speakers, silent auction, and an exciting live auction with the Cowboy Auctioneers.

October 16, 2025 at Canyonwood Ridge in Dripping Springs from 6pm-11pm. Cocktail attire recommended.

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2025 Gala Sponsorship Opportunities

Join us for Foster Village’s Grow the Village Gala! We invite you to an inspiring evening to provide a community beyond the foster care system. Your sponsorship helps provide critical resources and strong support for children and families who need it most.

Sponsorships start at $2,500. Exclusive underwriting opportunities and limited individual tickets are available.

To become a sponsor or secure your ticket, please email kc@fostervillageaustin.org.

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Keynote Speaker

Kondo Simfukwe

Kondo is an internationally respected speaker, host, and emcee celebrated for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. With over 12 years of professional experience, Kondo has become a trusted presence on some of the world's biggest stages, captivating audiences with his engaging communication style, storytelling expertise, and genuine authenticity. Born in England, raised in Zambia, and educated in Australia and the United States, Kondo’s multicultural upbringing has shaped his unique ability to bridge cultural divides, making him a voice that transcends boundaries. He, and his wife, Melissa, are adoptive parents with five kids in all. Kondo is a passionate advocate committed to the message that everyone can do something to change the story of a vulnerable child.

Emcee

Shonnery Pettit

Shonnery Pettit is the President of the Board of Directors for the Center for Child Protection and a Founding Board member for the Round Top Film Festival.

Shonnery has her MBA from Texas Tech University and is a Texas Business Hall of Fame Scholar.

In her role at the Round Top Film Festival, she strives to encourage the spirit of great storytelling, aiming to educate and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.

Shonnery’s service to the Center for Child Protection has been unprecedented in the amount of time and energy she has devoted to leading efforts that support the Center's mission. In the 10 years, Shonnery has been involved with the Center, over 12,000 children have been supported through their darkest hours and she has helped raise a record-breaking $87 million. Shonnery is first and foremost purpose driven. Every decision she makes is based on the question: "What is in the best interest of the children we serve?"

Shonnery is also a passionate public speaker and was a Celebrity Dancer in the 2015 Dancing with the Stars Austin.

She is also very invested in other philanthropic efforts in Austin: Foster Village, The Ugli Foundation, Texas Advocacy Project, Boys and Girls Club of Austin, St. David's "Toast of the Town", UnitedWay, CureDuchenne, and Mack Jack & McConaughey.

Before moving to Austin, Shonnery was the founder of Ignite Running Club, a nonprofit organization in Dallas that served children living in a homeless shelter.

She enjoys traveling, dancing and kickboxing. She has been studying French and Spanish for the past several years. She has been married to Tom Pettit for 26 years and has two grown sons. Blake works for Accenture here in Austin. Brett, her youngest, graduated from Vanderbilt University & started his career as a financial wealth manager.