SOF MISSIONS Hosts 8th Annual GALA to Empower and Heal Our Nation’s Heroes
Shield of Faith (SOF) Missions proudly presents the 8th Annual Emerald Coast Gala, scheduled for Sept. 13, 2024, at the prestigious Destin-Ft. Walton Beach Convention Center. This gala serves as a beacon of hope, dedicated to empowering and fostering resilience among our Nation’s warriors.
With an unwavering commitment to combatting the tragic epidemic of suicide among our Nation’s warriors, the nonprofit team at SOF Missions has tirelessly worked to provide essential care. To date, SOF Missions has allocated over $8.1 million in support to more than 3,000 warriors, ensuring they receive the care they deserve.
All Gala proceeds go directly to aiding active-duty personnel, Veterans, and first responders nationwide who face mental and physical injuries, enabling Be Resilient Clinics to offer free, comprehensive care plans, ensuring our Nation’s warriors receive the support they need, regardless of their financial situation.
The evening will be filled with celebration and inspiration from our incredible warrior guest speaker, John Arroyo, a retired Special Forces Green Beret with an incredible story you won’t want to miss.
Our theme this year is swing! Get creative with your 40s swing attire and have fun! You can look forward to live entertainment from the HashTag Swing Band and audience instruction from the Luna Ballroom team! You will also enjoy an exquisite meal based on the swing era, as well as the excitement of both silent and live auctions.
We invite you to join us, standing united with the SOF Missions team and our community at one of the most impactful fundraising events of the year. With your generous support, together, we can provide the crucial aid needed to foster hope and facilitate healing for our nation’s heroes.
Visit www.sofmissions.org/gala for tickets or information. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Tickets: $100 per person (Price includes dinner, dessert and one free drink. Guest speaker, silent auction, swing dancing.) Attire: 40s Swing Theme (have fun and get creative).
TMF Hosts 3rd Annual 9/11 Heroes Run Sept. 8
The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), one of the nation’s leading veteran service organizations, will host the Destin 9/11 Heroes Run 5K Run/Walk/or Ruck Race on Sunday, Sept. 8, at 9 a.m. at Legendary Marine in Destin. The annual race will unite the community to remember the lives lost on September 11 and in the wars since, and honor the veterans, military service members and first responders who serve our country and our communities. The 5K course is out and back through beautiful Regatta Bay.
Proceeds benefit the Travis Manion Foundation which empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. Sponsored nationally by USAA, the 9/11 Heroes Run national race series will be held in 70 communities globally.
The 9/11 Heroes Run was inspired by Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion who was killed by a sniper in Iraq in April 2007 as he selflessly protected his battalion. Before his final deployment, Travis visited Rescue One in NYC—a group known for losing almost all its men on 9/11. Travis returned from this visit with a deeper understanding of his reasons for fighting in Iraq. At its heart, the 9/11 Heroes Run is a tribute to a personal commitment to never forget the heroes of that day.
“Each year on the anniversary of September 11, we pause to remember the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day and those who lost their lives in the wars since,” said Ryan Manion, CEO, Travis Manion Foundation. “The growth of the 9/11 Heroes Run 5K series over the last 17 years demonstrates a shared commitment in communities nationwide to never forget the sacrifices of first responders and military service members like my brother, Travis, and countless others.”
Through 9/11 Heroes Runs around the world, Travis Manion Foundation invests back into the local race communities to support military service members, veterans, first responders and their families. For more information about the race series visit 911heroesrun.org.
