A Night to Remember
We hosted an inaugural Las Vegas Charity Gala at the iconic Virgin Hotels Las Vegas presented by Christopher Ward. This event brought together national leaders, decorated military heroes, celebrated athletes, talented musicians, and supporters for a night honoring our nation’s military members and first responders.
The evening began with a cocktail reception in The Shag Room before guests moved into 24 Oxford for dinner, a live auction, and powerful presentations.
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- Keynote Speaker: General Scott Miller (Ret.) shared the importance of transition from service and seeking resources like Shields & Stripes’.
- Guest Speaker: Ryan Lavarnway, MLB World Series Champion, Olympian, and Shields & Stripes ambassador, shared his meaningful introduction to our mission and what it means to him to be an ambassador.
- Remarks by Presenting Sponsor: Michael Pearson, North American Brand Director of Christopher Ward London, shared the philanthropic mission of Christopher Ward and the importance of our newly formed partnership, emphasizing the true impact Shields & Stripes is making in the lives of our heroes.
- Special Guest Appearance: Gretchen Evans, retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major, Purple Heart recipient, and ESPY Award winner.
- Remarks by Host Partner: Calvin Lau, of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, welcomed attendees and reaffirmed Virgin Hotels’ commitment to supporting veterans and first responders.
- Emcee: Nadia Genevieve Masri, Forbes 30 Under 30 Headliner and CEO of Aris Data, engaged guests.
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Live Music & Entertainment
Guests were treated to performances by:
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- David Tolliver, former member of Halfway to Hazard, who brought heartfelt country roots to the stage.
- Jon Kahn, Billboard Top Emerging Artist, who energized the crowd with his single “Fighter” and other inspiring originals.
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Thank You to Our Sponsors
All proceeds from the gala benefit Shields & Stripes’ program, which provides military members, veterans, law enforcement, and first responders with world-class physical, mental, and emotional care at no cost.
This evening would not have been possible without the generosity of Black Rifle Coffee, Dean Goble Jr., Chrisopher Ward London and Mike Pearson, Helix Defense, Veteran Benefits Guide and Lisa Kalks, Oura Ring, Tonal, and Staccato 2011.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to every guest, sponsor, and partner who joined us for this memorable evening. The generosity shown is helping drive our mission forward.
Special thanks to Kristen Joy Photography for beautifully capturing the night. Explore the full gallery here.
Learn more about our mission and upcoming events.
"When we first arrived, we knew the road ahead would require dedication, hard work, and perseverance to return to the level of performance our duties demand. What we did not expect was just how much you would help us grow, not only in our physical strength and recovery, but in our confidence, focus, and readiness for whatever challenges lie ahead."
