Veteran & Military Family Support Organization Hosts Interactive Gala and Auctions Benefiting Heroes in Distress
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (September 30, 2020) – Skip the high heels and starched suits and attend the 2020 USA Cares Gala from the comfort of home! In response to concerns about COVID-19, USA Cares will live-stream its 2020 Virtual Gala on YouTube and Facebook on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 7:00 PM EST. This special online event will celebrate USA Cares’ 17 years of service to our heroes, honor veterans and military families, and raise funds to support those struggling from the adverse effects of service.
Despite this change in format, USA Cares’ annual tradition of paying tribute to veterans, service members, and their families while raising funds to support to them in their hour of need remains the same, with a few extra perks for attendees along the way. Tickets to this year’s Gala are free, and participants can attend this special online event regardless of location. Guests who pre-register online at http://bidpal.net/usacgala2020 will receive a virtual swag bag full of freebies, coupons, and other exclusive content on the day of the Gala.
“With COVID-19 continuing to impact people and countries around the world, we’ve had to make a few changes to our biggest night of the year,” said Heather Moses, Development Director at USA Cares. “Doing our annual Gala in a virtual format is certainly a first for us. However, we’re excited that by broadcasting this year’s Gala on YouTube and Facebook, one of Louisville’s most unique and patriotic events of the year will now be accessible to more guests than ever before.”
Guests will have an opportunity to bid on various items and luxury experiences in live and silent auctions, enter raffles to win several prized bourbons, and more. Additionally, the program will feature a live “bidding for good” virtual paddle raise, where guests are encouraged to make a life-changing donation to support military families, all from their computers or mobile devices.
“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the current unmet needs of military men and women have grown substantially,” said Aubrey Gonzalez, Communications Manager for USA Cares. “Since March, we have experienced a significantly higher volume of requests for emergency aid, most of which were triggered by COVID-19. Veterans who suffer from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety are at higher risk of veteran suicide, and we have been working relentlessly to provide relief to our heroes and their children during this challenging time.”
Sponsors for the 2020 Virtual Gala include Delta Dental, CKE Restaurants (Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr.), Atria Senior Living, Dismas Charities, Armag, Enterprise Holdings, Humana Military, Dr. Mark E. Chariker, Pride Mobility, Spectrum Financial Alliance, Mister P Express, Brown-Forman, Park Community Credit Union, Karl Truman Law Office, Kentucky Farm Bureau, UAW Local 862, AgentLink, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, MacLellan Integrated Services, Bramco, Brandeis, EXP Realty (Steve Hall), Johnson CPA & Associates, GE Appliances, The Parker Family, Phelps-Sells, Turnock & Laventis, Westport Whiskey & Wine, Beam Suntory, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and TOPS Louisville.
All proceeds from this event will support USA Cares’ mission to provide post-9/11 military veterans, service members, and their families with emergency financial assistance and post-service skills training. USA Cares’ services improve veterans and their families’ quality of life and reduce potential factors that can contribute to veteran suicide.
Additional sponsorships are available on the 2020 Virtual Gala ticketing, auction, and raffle page at http://bidpal.net/usacgala2020. For more information about this event, contact Heather Moses at heather@usacares.org or 800-773-0387, ext. 103.
