The Annual Night of Honor is back in its fifth year at Laurel Fire Department. Patriot Hunts Del-Mar-Va chapter is bringing back its largest fundraising event for the non-profit organization. The night filled with food, raffles, presentations and giving back to those serving others will be taking place on March 8.
“It’s our annual night of honor for our non-profit organization, Patriot Hunts. Doors open at 4 o’clock; all kinds of raffles going on, a few games for raffle tickets for all kinds of different prizes,” shares Bill Malchow, Del-Mar-Va Chapter Chairman. In addition to games and raffles, Malchow shares that Sussex Tech’s JROTC will be presenting the colors before dinner with a speaker following the meal, whom he says is typically a veteran given that is who the event honors and supports.
The dinner will include crab cakes, prime rib, ham and “eastern shore sides.” It begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $60 for an individual ticket, $100 per couple and $375 per table of eight guests. The ticket is just one of the ways Patriot Hunts raises funds for its cause during this night. Raffle packages also range between $200 to $500 and there will be a live auction featuring all local items from outdoor vendors, some of these donated by supporters.
But what does Patriot Hunts do with the funds raised? What the organization name suggests – hunting excursions for first responders, veterans and gold star families; those considered by many to be patriots. Malchow explains, “The big thing is all the money we raise, unlike a lot of outdoor organizations, everything stays local for what we raise. The committee doesn’t get a salary. Everything that we raise goes back into our mission.”
To be able to bring these excursions to the people Patriot Hunts serves, they must be able to gather licenses for the individuals, lodgings, equipment and other outfitting requirements. Malchow says the connection and camaraderie of these trips results in a “therapy-like” affect because it brings those who serve a chance to be in the presence of one another in a way that breeds openness and communication.
In the six years this chapter of Patriot Hunts has been operating, Malchow estimates that they’ve supported about 250 individuals to go on these outdoor excursions. He hopes to expand the number of people they can reach to at least 60 for 2025 and continue to grow in the future. While the chapter is always accepting donations or property owners who would like to open their land to hunting, they also have multiple fundraisers like the Annual Night of Honor to keep gathering support.
Those interested in taking part in this event should know the event is typically sold out, often times well in advance. “We have a great group of sponsors who attend every year,” Malchow states. At the time of this article being written, some seats were still available, but if this year is anything like last year, the 300 seats will go quickly and there will be an extensive waitlist.
In addition to the year-round donations those interested in supporting this organization can make, other fundraising events are on the horizon. The first annual Gun Bash will be taking place in April this year, followed by a sporting clay event in August and in September there will be a dove hunt fundraiser.
More information can be found at patriothunts.org and on the local chapter’s Facebook page: Patriot Hunts Del-Mar-Va Chapter.
