The Valor Clinic Foundation is preparing for its annual Patriot’s Ball, a fundraising gala that organizers say is vital to supporting local veterans in need and programs such as the new food pantry at Camp Trexler.

The event will be held Nov. 8 from 6:30-11 p.m. at the Skytop Lodge. Tickets are $125 per person, and sponsorships and donations are being accepted.

“We have a gala every year, and we’re hoping some people will want to dance and eat good food in an effort to help us keep doing our work,” Valor Clinic founder Mark Baylis said.

Baylis, who founded the nonprofit in 2012 after being medically separated from the service, said the annual fundraiser is essential.

“It funds our programs,” he said. “We keep the lights on in our homeless shelter. We put food on the table at our counseling centers. We put fuel in the trucks to deliver furniture to new apartments for homeless vets getting off the street. If we don’t have the community’s backing, we can’t do those things. What’s better than helping a struggling veteran by eating dinner and dancing? It’s like prom, but for adults.”

Growing mission

The Valor Clinic Foundation began with Baylis informally helping veterans transition back into civilian life in 2008. After formally gaining nonprofit status in 2012, the organization has grown into four major programs: a homeless shelter called Paul’s House; a counseling program for veterans called Veterans Unstoppable; a holiday meals initiative; and case management assistance for benefits applications.

“In 2012 we helped 40 or 50 veterans,” Baylis said. “In 2024 we helped 30,764. It has become a big, significant impact. In this part of Pennsylvania, a lot of veterans feel our touch, and we’re glad the community enables us.”

Valor is now looking to expand its reach even further. Baylis said the organization is pursuing use of the former White Haven Center to create 100 housing units for veterans and open a brain injury clinic.

“We still see gaps that need to be addressed,” he said.

Food security

The new pantry at Camp Trexler is among Valor’s latest projects and is designed to address food insecurity among veterans.

“Everybody understands food security,” Baylis said. “Veterans were often attacked on holidays overseas because the enemy wanted to affect morale. Many came home with emotional scars tied to those days. If you’re financially struggling and dealing with those memories, the last thing you need is to be unable to celebrate a meal with your family. We try to take one stressor off the table by putting food on the table.”

Baylis said the program has been embraced by both veterans and volunteers.

“It’s a feel-good program,” he said. “The veterans love it. The volunteers really enjoy it. The Patriot’s Ball helps us fund it.”

Local veteran Ron Motley said the pantry is already making a difference in his life.

“I spend two-thirds of my income on rent,” he said. “That doesn’t leave much for groceries or medicine. To be able to cut down on expenses, even a little bit, makes a major difference. If I can get $50 worth of food here, that’s $50 I can spend on other things I need. You’ve got to pay rent. You’ve got to drive a car. Out here, you can’t get by without one.”

Motley, who served in the Navy from 1973 to 1979 and later in the National Guard, said Valor’s help goes beyond food.

“It’s also the contact with other service people,” he said. “Every bag we fill helps somebody. It started for veterans, but it helps others who are homeless too. We need to fill those shelves up before the holidays.”

Why gala matters

Baylis emphasized that the Patriot’s Ball is one of the most important events of the year for sustaining Valor’s work.

“We can’t do it without community support,” he said. “A lot of other charities live and die on government grants. We get very little of that. Almost all of our support comes from golf tournaments, motorcycle rides and the Patriot’s Ball. We rely on the community both for labor and resources — fuel in the trucks, paying the electric bill, things people don’t always think about.”

Event details

The evening will feature formal attire, music, dancing and gourmet food. Sponsors can choose from levels ranging from $1,250 to $15,000. Silent auction donations, including gift cards, gift certificates, baskets and other items, are also being accepted.

Last year, Valor delivered more than 45,000 meals to veterans and their families through its holiday program. Paul’s House, the group’s 13-bed transitional home, has a 95% success rate breaking the cycle of chronic homelessness, according to the organization. Its Veterans Unstoppable counseling program has seen no suicides among participants, while the national average remains 22 per day.

For tickets, sponsorships or donations, visit valorclinic.org/events/patriots-ball-fundraiser-1.