Week 30 of #52weeksofgiving - Return to Base Gala to Benefit PB Abbate
We were honored to host the Return to Base Gala to benefit Patrol Base Abbate this weekend for week 30 of our #52weeksofgiving project. Our biggest fundraising event was held at the Owls Nest on Le Beau Domaine, raising more money than we could’ve imagined!
Everyone enjoyed a beautiful evening featuring performances from Joseph Gallant, Frankie Ballard, and Jameson Rodgers. The event included a very successful Silent Auction with a Fund-a-Need segment. We thank everyone who attended and helped support our service members and veterans. Additional thanks go to PB Abbate founder Major Tom Schueman and Governor Chris Sununu for joining us.
Our hearts are so full after the kindness and generosity everyone demonstrated this weekend. Read on to learn more about PB Abbate and their outstanding work.
About Patrol Base Abbate
PB Abbate “honors the legacy of Sergeant Matthew Abbate (uh-baa-tay) by providing warriors space to recalibrate inside the wire and community to thrive outside the wire.”
Sgt. Abbate, a 26-year-old Marine and scout sniper, was killed in action on December 2, 2010, in the Sangin district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province during a coalition airstrike and enemy attack. His brave and selfless acts two months prior on the battlefield during an ambush that wounded several Marines earned Sgt. Abbate the Navy Cross posthumously.
PB Abbate is located in Thompson Falls, Montana, or “Big Sky Country.” The organization offers programs for service members and eligible veterans to:
Reconnect with their warrior spirit
Foster community through shared interests
Re-discover purpose in service to each other, their families, and their communities
The nonprofit creates a space for military members and helps them reintegrate into their communities. The PB Abbate crew also equips members with the right tools to reenter the fight. They do this by giving warriors a tribe and purpose. PB Abbate has three main components:
Return to Base Program: Several annual retreats bring together active service members and veterans with similar interests.
Online clubs: Members can join virtual communities to discuss their interests, from book club to gun club.
Local chapters: Abbate’s Pointmen form local tribes and conduct monthly social and service events, offering more opportunities for members to connect and reignite their purpose through service to others.
PB Abbate Return to Base Program
Major Schueman and his team chose a cabin in Big Sky Country for the Return to Base (RTB) Program to get participants outside and active. This stunning area is the perfect setting for active and retired military members to come together as a community, refit, and connect among nature.
Participants enjoy five days (Thursday - Monday) in the mountains of Montana at PB Abbate. Each retreat is led by experts in shooting, fishing, hunting, lifting, art, and more. Daily activities revolve around the club’s common interest and include one to two yoga sessions.
The central pillars of the RTB program are:
Service Work: Every retreat group participates in a service project to improve the local area or community (e.g., clearing brush for fire prevention, building/repairing facilities on the property)
Fireside Chats: These discussions encourage communal healing and help members bond through vulnerable conversations rooted in empathy and trust.
Nature: Using the healing power of nature, RTB programs include outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking.
How You Can Support PB Abbate
Do you want to help PB Abbate in their mission to create a strong community for both veteran and active duty service members? Consider donating to support their nationwide activities and events. You can choose a one-time or monthly recurring donation.
Or, support while you shop with Amazon Smile here. Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to the Patrol Base.
If you want to get involved directly, you can also volunteer with PB Abbate. They often need volunteers to help on the business side and support programs like RTB. Fill out their volunteer application to find out how you can help.
To keep up with PB Abbate and their life-changing programs for active and retired military members, follow them on Instagram @pbabbate or Facebook. And please share their organization with anyone you know who would benefit from this amazing resource.