2025 Annual Veteran's Relief Fundraising Gala

Last year through our GoFundMe efforts, additional donations, and ticket sales to the Gala, we were able to raise $10,000 in support of the Battle Within Foundation and Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI). This year we are hoping to surpass last year's amount while continuing to support MMRI's research into PTSD, and also K9's For Veteran's NFP.

As New York Masons, we are proud to support many charities, some of which you may be familiar with like the Shriners hospitals and toys for tots. We believe that every man (and woman) can-and should- step into their best self and make a difference in the lives of others.

In the past 40+ years, since the end of the Vietnam War, we have lost more American heroes due to suicide than all foreign wars and conflicts in that time period combined. Despite the very best efforts of family, friends, the VA, and scores of highly dedicated veteran-based organizations, approximately 20 veterans each day are lost to us due to complications from wounds and injuries we cannot see.

That’s 7200 brave men and women a year who volunteered, stood on the yellow footprints and swore an oath to God to protect and defend our country. They proved this commitment, many seeing and experiencing the unimaginable in our name. Unfortunately, they made it through one war, only to come home to fight another.

To better understand the cause and effect of PTSD, The Battle Within Foundation announced a first-round $25,000 donation to the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI). This initial contribution will be used to enable the expansion of their neurocognitive disorder research.