“Hearts & Heroes” Benefit Gala Returns with a Motown Flavor

Upwards of 250 guests, supporters and friends of veterans are expected to join together for fun with a purpose on Saturday, March 26, as House of Heroes Connecticut’s annual Hearts & Heroes Fundraiser and Gala returns to Cascade in Hamden following a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event, the non-profit veterans service organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, will feature a Motown theme with music provided by regional rhythm & blues band Le’Mixx. The event begins with cocktails at 6 and will feature an open bar, dinner and dancing, along with premium and silent raffles.

The highlight of the evening will be presentation of House of Heroes Connecticut’s Annual William J. May III Service Above Self Awards to the organization’s 2021 sponsor, craftsman and volunteer of the year. The awards, established in 2019, honor the legacy of HOHCT’s late co-founder Bill May, a 24-year Army Aviation veteran, Black Hawk helicopter test pilot and inspiring leader whose vision was to assist fellow veterans in need of home renovations and repairs that would keep them safely in their homes.

The May Award honorees recognizing service and support for the 2021 calendar year are:

Sponsor of the Year: Disabled American Veterans, Hardware City Chapter 8, which annually hosts the Golden Kielbasa Veterans Open for the benefit of HOHCT and other veterans causes. DAV Chapter 8 has provided more than $70,000 in funding to HOHCT since 2012.

Craftsmen of the Year: Connecticut Carpenters Union Local 326. Typically awarded to an individual, this year’s Craftsmen of the Year award goes to this hard-working group which has lent its invaluable talents and labor to numerous HOHCT projects since 2019.

Volunteer of the Year: Michael Stowe. A long-time master carpenter and Bridgeport native, Stowe joined HOHCT as a volunteer in 2020 and has played an ever-increasing and vital role in project planning, management and on-site supervision, helping the organization manage its growing schedule of projects.

Tickets for the event are $125 per person, with a variety of table, sponsorship and advertising options available. Tickets may be purchased on-line in advance at www.hohct.org/heartsandheroes2022.

House of Heroes Connecticut partners include Coldwell Banker Realty (North Haven); Connecticut Carpenters Union, Local 326; Disabled American Veterans, Hardware City Chapter 8; Elks Lodge 957 (New Britain); Johnson Brunetti; Knights of Columbus, The Honorable W. Patrick Donlin Assembly 2459 (New Haven); Knights of Columbus, Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100 (Norwalk); PCX Aerosystems; P&W-4-Vets; and TOPS Marketplace (Southington).

House of Heroes Connecticut is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that recognizes, honors and serves military and public safety veterans and/or their surviving spouses for their sacrificial service to America. The organization has provided one-day, no-cost home improvements with a priority placed on safety and accessibility to 160 veterans or surviving spouses. The Connecticut Chapter is part of a national organization based in Georgia that has served more than 1,000 veterans nationwide. For more information, visit www.hohct.org.