The Empty Chair Dinner
Where Compassion Takes a Seat.
As long as there’s still an empty chair, there’s still someone who needs us.
Every year, The Hadden Foundation will gather churches, businesses, community leaders, families, and neighbors from across Northeast Florida for one unforgettable evening with one shared purpose: to launch the Somebody Cares Initiative and inspire a community to become Somebody Who Cares.
01 What the chair means
The empty chair is more than a symbol. It is a reminder that someone in our community is still waiting to be seen, supported, and reminded they are not alone.
This year, it holds space for people and families facing cancer across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida—for the hard days, the quiet acts of courage, and the moments when practical care can feel like hope arriving right on time.
02 Who the chair holds space for
Not a number. Not a diagnosis. A person with a name, a family, a story, and a life still unfolding.
The person receiving treatment
The one carrying questions they cannot answer and courage they did not know they had. The chair says: we see you.
The caregiver
The one remembering the details, offering the rides, sitting through the waiting, and staying strong for everyone else. The chair says: you deserve care, too.
The family
The one learning new rhythms while trying to keep ordinary life moving. The chair says: you do not have to carry this alone.
The neighbor we may not know yet
The one who needs comfort, practical support, and proof they have not been forgotten. The chair says: Somebody Cares.
03 The invitation inside the symbol
The chair asks three simple questions.
On November 5, we will answer together.
04 One room. One shared purpose.
More than an elegant dinner, The Empty Chair Dinner is the inaugural gathering where compassion becomes action, hope finds its way into hurting hearts, and an entire community comes together to Love God. Love People. Serve Both.
The evening officially launches the 2026 Somebody Cares Initiative, supporting people and families facing cancer throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida through thoughtfully curated Somebody Cares Boxes, practical essentials, encouragement, and reminders that no one fights alone.
A seat can become a way to show up.
Every seat tells a story.
Every table creates impact.
Every person becomes part of something greater than a single evening.
The Empty Chair Dinner
The Salem Centre
Jacksonville, Florida
5:30–8:30 PM
Cocktail or business attire
Dinner · Inspiring Stories
Silent Auction · Initiative Launch
02 The 2026 Somebody Cares Initiative
The Empty Chair Dinner is where our community gathers. The Somebody Cares Initiative is how that compassion moves into action.
Throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, this inaugural initiative will support individuals and families facing cancer with comfort, practical care, encouragement, and the reminder that no one fights alone.
Faith becomes visible when compassion becomes action.
01 The Focus
The initiative centers dignity, presence, and practical support—meeting people as people, not as problems to solve.
Cancer touches more than the person receiving treatment. It reshapes days, routines, and the lives of the people walking beside them.
Offering comfort, encouragement, and practical reminders that they are seen throughout the difficult and uncertain days.
Recognizing the people who keep showing up, carrying details, sitting through the waiting, and walking through every change alongside someone they love.
Creating meaningful ways for neighbors, churches, businesses, and care organizations to turn compassion into practical action together.
02 The Primary Outreach
Thoughtfully curated Somebody Cares Boxes will bring together tangible support and personal encouragement for individuals and families facing cancer.
Small sources of ease and warmth, chosen to offer care during difficult days.
Useful support selected with real needs and everyday moments in mind.
Thoughtfully curated. Personally encouraging. Rooted in compassion.
Words that meet someone personally and bring hope into an isolating moment.
A clear and compassionate message: you are seen, valued, loved, and never alone.
Care reaches farther when a community chooses to carry it together.
03 Compassion Is Collaborative
The Hadden Foundation will collaborate across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, connecting people and organizations that share a heart for showing up with dignity, compassion, and practical care.
The Message Inside Every Act of Care
Somebody Cares.
What the Dinner Sets in Motion
When you reserve a seat, you become part of a community choosing to notice, show up, and help carry hope beyond a single evening.
Your Seat Makes Possible
When you reserve your seat at The Empty Chair Dinner, you’re doing far more than attending an evening of dinner and inspiration.
You’re helping launch an entire year of compassion throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
Helps The Hadden Foundation turn compassion into action through this year’s Somebody Cares Initiative.
Together, we’ll bring hope to families facing cancer, unite our community around a shared purpose, and remind people walking through difficult seasons that they are not alone.
The Experience
An intentional evening where dinner, stories, generosity, and community gather around one shared purpose.
Gather around the table for an unforgettable evening designed to inspire connection, compassion, and community.
Hear the heart behind this year’s Somebody Cares Initiative and discover how one family’s story became the beginning of a movement.
Be among the very first to help launch a year of serving individuals and families facing cancer.
Bid on thoughtfully selected experiences, products, and gifts donated by local businesses while directly supporting this year’s initiative.
Connect with churches, businesses, community leaders, healthcare professionals, and neighbors who believe hope begins when Somebody Cares.
Because every seat…
And reminds someone they’ve never met…
You are not alone.
There’s a place waiting for you.
Ticket sales are coming soon. Join the interest list to be notified when reservations open.
Take Your Seat
This year, people from across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida will gather around one table with one shared purpose:
To become Somebody Who Cares.
Whether you’re attending on your own, bringing your spouse, inviting your leadership team, or filling a table with people who share your heart for serving others, your presence helps launch a year of hope throughout our community.
Because some of the most meaningful conversations begin around a table.
And some of the greatest movements begin when people simply decide to show up.
The Empty Chair Dinner
One meaningful evening. A ripple of hope that reaches far beyond the table.
An Elevated Dinner Experience
Inspiring Stories of Hope
The Official Launch of the 2026 Somebody Cares Initiative
A Curated Silent Auction
Meaningful Community Connections
The Opportunity to Help Change Someone’s Story
Because every seat matters.
Every conversation has the potential to spark a new partnership.
Every person who says “yes” helps ensure someone facing cancer hears
one life-changing message:
Partnership Opportunities
The Empty Chair Dinner is more than an annual event.
It’s the moment our community comes together to launch a year of compassion, service, and hope.As a Founding Partner, you’ll do more than support an evening—you’ll help launch the 2026 Somebody Cares Initiative and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to loving and serving our community.
Whether you’re a business, church, nonprofit, healthcare organization, or community leader, we’d love to explore how we can make a meaningful impact together.
Founding Partnership Opportunities
Four meaningful ways to help turn compassion into action throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
Presenting Partner
Lead the Movement.
Our highest level of partnership is reserved for one organization that shares our vision of building a stronger, more compassionate community.
As our Presenting Partner, you’ll receive premier recognition throughout the event, exclusive branding opportunities, and the chance to stand at the forefront of this year’s Somebody Cares Initiative.
One presenting organization
Let’s Start the ConversationKingdom Partner
Kingdom Partners help bring faith into action by supporting an event that unites churches, businesses, and community leaders around one shared mission: loving God, loving people, and serving both.
Together, we’ll make a lasting impact far beyond one evening.
Community Partner
Community Partners play an essential role in making The Empty Chair Dinner possible while demonstrating their commitment to serving Northeast Florida through practical acts of compassion.
Every partnership helps launch a year of hope.
Event Vendor
We’re inviting a limited number of mission-aligned businesses to showcase their products and services during The Empty Chair Dinner.
If your business believes in giving back, serving others, and creating meaningful connections, we’d love to learn more about you.
Let’s build something meaningful together.
We’re intentional about every partnership we create because we believe the right partnerships lead to greater impact for our community.
If you’re interested in becoming a Presenting Partner, Kingdom Partner, Community Partner, or Event Vendor, we’d love to start the conversation.
Explore Partnership OpportunitiesApplication required. We’ll connect with you to ensure the opportunity is the right fit for both your organization and the mission of The Hadden Foundation.
Hope Begins When Somebody Cares.
One generous donation has the power to create hope for someone you’ve never met.
Our Silent Auction brings together thoughtfully donated experiences, products, services, artwork, vacation stays, and one-of-a-kind gifts from businesses and individuals who believe in making a difference.
Every winning bid helps fund this year’s Somebody Cares Initiative, allowing us to bring comfort, encouragement, and practical support to individuals and families facing cancer throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
Whether you’re a local business owner, artist, maker, service provider, or simply someone with a meaningful item to share, your generosity becomes part of a story much bigger than the auction itself.
Because sometimes the greatest gift isn’t what you give...
It’s the hope it creates.
We’d love to learn more about your donation.
Suggested donations include experiences, products, services, artwork, vacation stays, gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, and one-of-a-kind gifts.
The Final Invitation
As Long As There’s Still an Empty Chair…
There is still someone waiting for hope.
01 Someone waiting to be seen.
02 Someone waiting for encouragement.
03 Someone waiting for someone to simply show up.
However you choose to show up…
You’re helping write the next chapter of the Somebody Cares Movement.
Together, we’re creating a community where people know…
Because hope begins when Somebody Cares.
November 5, 2026 The Salem Centre
Helpful Details
We’d Love to Help.
The Empty Chair Dinner is hosted by The Hadden Foundation, a Christ-centered nonprofit committed to loving God, loving people, and serving both. While our faith is the foundation of everything we do, everyone is welcome. Whether you share our faith or simply share our heart for serving others, we’d be honored to have you join us.
Still Have Questions?
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please reach out. Our team would be happy to help.
The Empty Chair Dinner
Take your place at the table and help bring comfort, encouragement, and hope to individuals and families facing cancer in our community.
Individual seat · $140
Table of eight · $997
