Gala History
Sweethearts and Patriots was founded in 2014 with the goal of supporting veteran causes. Over the years the gala has raised more than $135,000 and has been attended by thousands of guests.
2014
The inaugural gala raised $4,000 for Luke’s Wings
2015
The 2015 gala raised $23,000 for the Tragedy Assistant Program for Survivors
2016
The 2016 gala raised $25,000 for the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore
2017
The 2017 gala raised $22,500 for Dog Tags, Inc
2019
The 2019 gala, held at the French Embassy, raised $30,000 for Disabled American Veterans and Terre Fraternité
2020
The 2020 gala, also at the French Embassy, raised $35,000 for the Code of Support Foundation and Terre Fraternité
2022
The 2022 gala raised $6,500 for National Military Family Association
2023 Steering Committee
Geoffrey Newman, DCSSAR, Co-Chair
Leigh Maltby, Co-Chair
Joel Hinzman, DCSSAR President
Hillary Fisk, Communications
Brigadier General Ed Rodriguez Jr, Sponsorship
Richard Patten, DCSSAR, Host Committee
Jonathan Brightbill, DCSSAR, Host Committee
James Richardson, DCSSAR, Information Technology
Lenna Wilson, Hospitality