Travis Mills Foundation to hold 2nd annual Building Strength Gala

ROME — The Travis Mills Foundation is planning its second annual Building Strength Gala for 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at its Veterans Retreat, 1002 Watson Pond Road.

The event will include a cocktail hour, dinner, a program by U.S. Army SSG (Ret.) Travis Mills and entertainment by Love and Theft.

The event is celebrating the opening of the retreat’s new Health and Wellness Center, which will allow expanded programming for the nation’s recalibrated veterans and their families. The center will include an indoor pool, massage space and fitness equipment.

Veterans who have experienced life-changing injuries while in service to the country can learn how to use this mainstream fitness equipment and take home with them what they learned to stay healthy beyond their visits to the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat, according to a news release from the foundation.

Mills coined the term “recalibrated veteran” after he lost portions of all of his limbs in an IED explosion during his third tour in Afghanistan. In 2017 he established the foundation, located in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine, which provides various programs to other recalibrated veterans and their families that help them overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation.

The gala, held last year to mark the ground breaking of the Health and Wellness Center, raised $600K for recalibrated veterans and their families.

“Attendees of this year’s event will be among the first members of the public to get an insider’s glimpse of the Center and just a great way to celebrate veterans,” said Mills.

The event also will include silent and live auctions with items that range from a signed Mickey Mantle jersey, handcrafted canoe and gift baskets from local businesses, to high end trips and experiences throughout the country.

For tickets or more information, visit mills.givesmart.com.