By Kristin Fasy, Major Gifts Director with Raise the Future 

On April 8, 2026, Raise the Future and CBS Colorado came together for one of Colorado’s most beloved and long-standing fundraising traditions, A Day for Wednesday’s Child. This annual televised event raised $92,256 to help youth in foster care build supportive family relationships, meaningful connections, and access critical services. 

For more than four decades, Raise the Future and CBS Colorado have partnered to bring this event to life. What began as a simple broadcast appeal has grown into a full day of storytelling, community, and generosity that reflects the very best of Colorado. That partnership is the backbone of this event, and we are endlessly grateful to the CBS Colorado team for their commitment to our mission year after year. 

At the heart of the broadcast are the stories that matter most. Throughout the day, CBS Colorado aired prerecorded segments featuring the youth and families Raise the Future serves - real stories of resilience, connection, and the transformative power of supportive family relationships. Staff from across our organization also joined the broadcast to share the work happening every day on behalf of Colorado’s children. 

This year brought a special and unexpected moment when Mike Johnston, Denver’s mayor, joined the broadcast for a live interview and shared his deep personal connection to foster care and adoption. His wife worked in child welfare, and together they fostered a child who was ultimately adopted by the mayor’s own sister. In recognition of the impact of this long-standing tradition, Mayor Johnston also proclaimed April 8, 2026, as "Wednesday's Child Day" in Denver. It was a moving, unexpected window into how foster care touches so many lives in ways we don’t always see. We are grateful to Mayor Johnston for his openness and for standing with us to support youth and families. You can watch Mayor Johnston’s support for Raise the Future here.  

The broadcast was anchored by Mekialaya White, CBS Colorado news anchor and proud Raise the Future board member. Mekialaya brings warmth, heart, and genuine investment to this event every single year, and her dedication to our mission shines through in everything she does. 

Beyond the studio, the day extended into the community. Boondocks Food and Fun in Parker, Colorado, hosted a celebration for more than 200 Raise the Future youth and families, a joyful, festive reminder of what we’re all working toward. 

None of this happens without an extraordinary community of supporters. Thank you to our generous sponsors, Bow River Capital Partners, American Furniture Warehouse, South State Bank, Complete Business Systems, Holman Automotive, MidFirst Bank, KBCO, Voodoo Doughnut, Lockton Companies, Colorado Health Foundation, and Pax8; our tireless volunteers; our deeply engaged board of directors who promoted the event and gave generously of themselves, and every single donor who made a gift. Your belief in these youth and families is what makes the work possible. 

If you missed the event, there is still time to make an impact. Your gift helps youth in foster care build lasting relationships, receive vital support, and experience brighter futures. Donate today at raisethefuture.org. 

Together, we are helping every child find connection, support, and a place to belong.