News Release

PLYMOUTH — Dustin’s Place, Plymouth, is hosting a Giving Hope Gala, Nov. 4, at The Wooded Knot, Tippecanoe. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. followed by the start of silent auction bidding and welcome at 6:15 p.m.

This will be a fun and inspirational evening of dinner, dancing, dessert and drinks to benefit Dustin’s Place, a grief center for children and teens. Formal attire is encouraged.

Dustin’s Place is named in memory of Dustin Cullen, a believer who lived his life as a testament to God’s grace. He loved his family and friends completely. He was the husband of Viki (Cullen) Brown and father of Caythan, Liliana and Dean Cullen. In 2016 Cullen was in a single car fatal accident leaving his wife as a young widow alone to love for, care for and attempt to put life back together again for their three children ages 6, 5 and 11 months old.

While the Cullen family was surrounded with love the need for grief support and care was evident. The family attended a children’s grief support group together and immediately felt the connection with other grieving families.

In October 2018, Cullen along with some of her husband’s closest friends began the process of opening a children’s grief center in their own community. Dustin’s Place was founded Feb. 18, 2019. Dustin’s Place will provide grief support through group meetings where children and their families can gather together with adult volunteers who through their passion have chosen to be companions to others during their grief walks.

It’s mission is to provide support in a safe place where grieving children, teens, and their families can find connection and healing through sharing their experience of the death of a loved one throughout their healing process. Dustin’s Place believes no child or family should grieve the death of a loved one alone.

Services are offered free of charge and Dustin’s Place relies solely on donations.

There are three age groups for kids: ages 5-6, 7-9 and 10-13. The teen group is for ages 13 and up and the young adult group is for ages 20-30 somethings. There is an adult group for spousal loss, suicide, bereavement, parent of a child loss, and silent survivors (miscarriage and still born loss.). Each group meets biweekly.

Space is limited for the gala and reservations are required. A gala ticket includes appetizers, dinner, dessert, champagne toast and dancing to live music. A cash bar will be available.

There are four levels of tickets: supporter level of $150 for two tickets; team member level of $500 that includes four gala tickets and a shared reserved table; partner level of $1,000 to include eight gala tickets at a reserved table; and a partner plus level of $1,500 that includes eight tickets at a reserved table, plus sponsor choice of the dessert, live music or champagne toast.

The team member and partner levels also include additional benefits such as company name on the reserved table, on event materials, acknowledgment during the welcome, company logo at the entrance, mention on Dustin’s Place Social Media, logo on the photo booth and company post with photo on Dustin’s Place Social Media.

To view the digital invitation, costs and RSVP information or learn more about Dustin’s Place visit: www.dustinsplace.org. Reservations can be mailed to Dustin’s Place Gala RSVP, P.O. Box 94, Plymouth. For further information contact [email protected] or call (574) 596-4590.