Lt. Col. Allen West and journalist Brian Kilmeade will headline the ninth annual Heroes Gala supporting the work of Jacksonville-based Operation New Uniform (ONU).
To be held Dec. 3 at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, the gala will feature West as guest speaker, with Kilmeade serving as the evening’s master of ceremonies. State Sen. Aaron Bean, meanwhile, will serve as guest auctioneer for the event, which will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dinner as well as a raffle and both live and silent auctions.
Proceeds from the gala will support ONU’s mission to assist veterans and military spouses in making the transition to the civilian workforce.
“We are thrilled to have such nationally recognized patriots here to support ONU’s mission,” CEO Michele McManamon said. “Both Col. West and Brian Kilmeade are well known for supporting our military men and women, and we are so grateful for their support.”
McManamon noted that the nonprofit ONU’s career transition training program is provided free of charge to veterans and military spouses, who often find it difficult to adapt their military skills and experience to the corporate world.
“In the military, there is a very clear pathway for advancement as well as camaraderie and support from fellow soldiers — but when a veteran leaves the service, that all goes away,” McManamon said. “Through our training programs and support network, we help veterans take off their old uniform and put on a new one — a business suit — by showing them how to apply the valuable skills they gained in the military to a new environment.”
Since ONU’s inception, more than 350 veterans have graduated from the program, with 97% of them securing employment within four months of completing the program. Much of that is only possible, McManamon said, because of the support from Heroes Gala sponsors and attendees.
“Many of our donors and sponsors view the gala as an opportunity to thank our veterans for their service by hosting them as guests at their table,” she said. “It’s a wonderful way to show our veterans that we appreciate all their sacrifices and the sacrifices made by their families in support of our freedom.”
Sponsors of this year’s Heroes Gala include Ascendo Resources, Swisher, Aegis Pension Services, NLP Logix and community partners such as K9s for Warriors. A limited number of tables and sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For more information on sponsorship for the Operation New Uniform Heroes Gala, go to onuvets.org/heroes-gala.
Meet a veteran helped by Operation New Uniform by clicking here.
