“Thank you for your service.” Those are most-appreciated words to say when we meet those currently in the military or veterans.

The words are great and they mean a lot, but here’s another way to say thank you and at the same time serve those who serve us.

The Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center (MAFHC)is holding a fundraiser gala on October 18 at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Dr. in Grosse Pointe Farms.Tickets are $100 per person and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. To RSVP and purchase tickets click here.

Your dollars will make a difference in the lives of traveling military personnel, many of whom are on the way to defend us on battlefields around the world.

The MAFHC supports two Freedom Centers at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, places where traveling military, veterans and their families can relax and forget the chaos and headaches of travel. The lounges provide a quiet respite with comfortable couches, recliners, complimentary coffee, juice, soft drinks and bottled waters, snacks, free Wi-Fi and even a place to grab some shut-eye.

The first center opened in 2011 in the McNamara Terminal.  The second center opened in December, 2015 in the North Terminal. The doors are open to individuals on active duty, National Guard members, reservists, and service academy cadets as well as military dependents, military retirees and veterans.

In addition to those hospitality centers, MAFHC also maintains Freedom Centers in Troy and Lansing, which serve enlistees and their families during the enlistment and swearing-in process.

Since the first Freedom Centers opened MAFHC has served more than 400,000 military guests. That help is only made possible through the generosity of individual and corporate donors and volunteers.

All the centers are staffed by volunteers seven days a week, 365 days a year and are supported by donations.

Prior to the gala there is also an online silent auction that includes:

• Authentic autographed Miguel Cabrera bat
• Hockey stick autographed by Detroit Red Wings legend and NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay
• Autographed Henrik Zetterberg jersey signed by multiple Detroit Red Wings
• A luxury golf and hotel package at Treetops Resort in Gaylord

The auction runs until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 16 and turns into a live silent auction on October 18 during thegala fundraiser. Please click here to go to the auction site.

Here are the rules.

The highest bid from the online auction will be the starting bid at the fundraiser.To win the auctioned item the winning bid must be the final high bid given at the gala. If no bid given at the gala exceeds what was bid online, the online bid will be the winner.

The best way to keep your eye on the prize is to buy a ticket and attend the gala.

Proceeds from the gala and auction will benefit the Freedom Centers at Detroit Metro Airport and the centers in Troy and Lansing.

Can’t attend but still want to lend support? Please click here to donate to MAFHC.

It is a great cause and a great way to not only say “thank you for your service,” but also to serve those who serve us.

  Freedom Centers at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, National Guard, Veterans