Celebrate America: AWI Marks the Nation’s 250th Birthday With a Gala Built Around Those Who Made It Possible
August 6, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. An evening of celebration, service, and a service dog giveaway that turns gratitude into action.
On August 6, 2026, the American Warrior Initiative will host the Celebrate America Gala in Madison, Wisconsin, an evening built around the country’s 250th birthday and the people who carried the cost of it.
The night begins at 5:00pm with cocktails and a happy hour, followed by a buffet dinner, a silent auction, and a high-energy live auction. Guests will hear from inspiring speakers whose stories sit at the center of AWI’s mission. The evening’s emotional anchor will be a live service dog giveaway, a moment that has become one of the most powerful traditions in AWI’s work.
Every ticket purchased is automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP meet-and-greet with NFL legend Brett Favre.
Why This Night Matters
America’s 250th birthday is a milestone worth celebrating. But for AWI, celebration is not enough on its own. Every dollar raised at the gala goes directly back into the mission: providing service dogs to veterans and first responders, supporting families in crisis, and standing with the men and women who have carried the heaviest burdens on behalf of this country.
AWI has now placed more than 450 service dogs with veterans and first responders. The Celebrate America Gala is one of the most important nights of the year for keeping that number growing.
“Not all of us can do everything,” says AWI founder Louise Thaxton. “But all of us can do one thing.”
The gala is that one thing for a lot of people. Show up. Bring friends. Bid on auction items. Sponsor a table. Support a cause that turns gratitude into something tangible.
Sponsorship and Tables
Multiple sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, real estate professionals, AWREP members, Outposts, and individuals who want to make a deeper impact. Sponsorship details are available through the event registration page.
Event Details
- Date: August 6, 2026
- Time: 5:00pm
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
- Tickets
- Featured: Cocktails, buffet dinner, silent and live auctions, live service dog giveaway, VIP meet-and-greet drawing with Brett Favre
About the American Warrior Initiative
The American Warrior Initiative is a nonprofit dedicated to serving veterans and first responders through service dog placements, home improvement projects, family support, and local activation through regional AWI Outposts. Powered by Fairway Independent Mortgage. Local action. National impact.