BFF Events · Sunday, November 8, 2026
Sole Couture Sneaker Ball
Celebrating ten years of transformation and the launch of our second decade—funding real change for K-12 students who need it most.
Art Opens Hearts. Partnership Opens Doors.
Sole Couture 2026 is The Blended Family Foundation’s marquee event—a celebration of ten years of transformation and the launch of our second decade. On November 8th, we’re gathering at the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art to fund real change for K-12 students who need it most.
When
Sunday, November 8, 2026 · 4:00 PM
Where
Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art · 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland, FL 33801
Celebrating
10 years of The Blended Family Foundation and the beginning of our second decade.
Our flagship event
Why Sole Couture Matters
This November, The Blended Family Foundation is hosting our flagship event—a celebration of art, community, and the kind of change that sticks. Over twelve months, proceeds from Sole Couture will directly fund respite retreats, subsidized therapy access, capacity-building experiences, and emergency support for students navigating real challenges.
We don’t do surface-level. Every partnership, every attendee, every dollar gets translated into measurable impact.
You’re not just coming to a gala. You’re investing in the actual infrastructure that helps K-12 students recover, grow, and thrive.
Calling all artists
Your Canvas Just Got a Whole Lot More Sole.
The Sole Couture Sneaker Ball Art Auction is officially calling for artists and we’re looking for work that makes people stop, feel, think…and BID!
Youth and adult artists are invited to create an original piece inspired by one of five themes. Selected artwork will be exhibited and auctioned during Sole Couture, celebrating 10 years of The Blended Family Foundation and helping fund experiences and resources for Polk County K–12 students.
01
Foundations
What helped build you?
02
Joy
What does joy look like when you can finally feel it?
03
Capacity
What becomes possible when you discover what you can carry, create or become?
04
Recovery
What does rising after adversity look like?
05
Sneakers
Where have your shoes taken you and what did it take to get there?
Your art becomes the conversation. And the auction turns that conversation into impact.
This is more than a celebratory fundraiser. Artists, this is your invitation. Bring us the piece only YOU could create.
Create it. Exhibit it. Auction it = Impact on display.
In-kind donations
Have Something to Give Beyond a Check?
We’re always looking for businesses, artists, creators, and community members who want to support Sole Couture Sneaker Ball through an in-kind donation.
Donate an auction item, product, service, experience, event supply, or another contribution that can help make this event possible and raise funds for the work of The Blended Family Foundation.
Your generosity doesn’t have to be cash to create impact!
Throwback
Sneakers Ball 2021
With gratitude
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Sole Couture 2026 is possible because of partners who believe in our students. Thank you to Citrus Connection, CON10T Studios, and Suncoast Credit Union for helping us celebrate ten years of transformation and invest in the next decade of K–12 students across Polk County.
Get involved