Donate Auction Items Here!

For this event, the cadets of Arnold Air Society and the American Legion Post 6 are teaming up to raise funds to support America's Gold Star families through donations to the Travis Manion Foundation. Please see below to learn more about the mission of each organization and about the event.

Meet our Auctioneer!

Brian Calabria is an award-winning North Carolina auctioneer who specializes in helping raise money for organizations and non-profits across North Carolina and Virginia. Brian is passionate about making the events he participates in a success. He makes it his mission to not only align himself with the goals of the organization he represents, but to also exceed their expectations. Brian is married to Sonja Calabria and they’ve lived together in Raleigh for more than 20 years, where they continue to raise their three children.

A person in a suit and tieDescription automatically generated

Brian Calabria - Licensed Auctioneer Specializing In Fundraising And Benefit Auctions And Galas

919-247-2650 || calabriabrian@gmail.com

Gold Star Families:

Those who die in service to their country leave behind parents, siblings, spouses, children and extended families. These are recognized as Gold Star families. Since 9/11, more than 16,000 troops have died in non-combat circumstances and more than 7,000 died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars alone.

Learn More about the History of Gold Star Families

Who was Travis Manion?

1st Lt Travis manion (1980-2007) was an Iraq ware Marine veteran who led a counterattack against enemy forces where, at the sacrifice of his own life, saved the lives of every member of his patrol, earning him the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor.

After his death, his family members founded the Travis Manion Foundation - a non-profit organization dedicated to their mission:

"TMF strives to unite and strengthen communities by training, developing, and highlighting the role models that lead them. We develop programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen, and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community at large."

Learn more about TMF's impact

What is Arnold Air Society?

The focus of the Arnold Air Society mission is to build strong officers for the United States Air Force. It is is a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. The “service” aspect is perhaps the foremost in the mind of many members, because of the society’s continuing contributions to our campuses, our communities, and our corps–but it should always be remembered that our primary mission is to improve ourselves as future Air Force officers.

Each year, the national assembly of Arnold Air Society cadets votes on a Joint National Project (JNP) with its sister organization Silver Wings. The JNP focuses service projects for squadrons and chapters across the country on a specific theme. The 2023-2024 Joint National Project is focused on helping Gold Star Families. This event is represents the Southeast Region's effort towards the JNP. Schools collaborating on this project include:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T University, The University of North Carolina - Charlotte, Fayetteville State University, Duke University, and Clemson University.

What is the American Legion?

"The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America."

The American Legion is a military community organization with the mission to enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

By donating to this charity auction, you are helping support the mission of the Travis Manion Foundation, Arnold Air Society, and the American Legion. 100% of proceeds generated from purchase of donated auction items at our live auction on 10 Feb 24 will go directly to The Travis Manion Foundation.

Ticket sales for attending the event will be put towards the cost of hosting the event and supporting American Legion and Arnold Air Society Southeast region.

To pledge an item or service donation please use this link

For more information please contact Sunita Agarwala.

SUNITA M. AGARWALA, AAS C/Maj

Squadron Commander

Jesse J. Moorhead Squadron

AFROTC Detachment 590

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

(585)754-1170 // sagarwala@unc.edu

We thank you for your generosity.

Gold Star Family Charity Auction with Travis Manion Foundation

Hosted by Arnold Air Society & American Legion Post 6

Team Members