A Night of Gratitude on a Day We’ll Never Forget
Some dates ask something of us. September 11 is one of them.
This year, that date carries even greater weight. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States — a milestone only a handful of nations ever reach — and September 11, 2026 marks 25 years since the attacks that reshaped our nation and called a generation of first responders to run toward the danger that everyone else was fleeing. It is fitting, then, that on that very evening Appreciate Your Service (AYS) will gather supporters, patriots, and friends at Avila Golf & Country Club for our 2nd Annual Cars & Cocktails. The date was not chosen lightly. We wanted to honor the people our mission exists to serve on the day that reminds us most powerfully why their service matters.
Building on a meaningful first year
Last September, AYS hosted its inaugural Cars & Cocktails — proof of what’s possible when a community decides to say thank you in a tangible way. The night raised vital funds and ended with a moment none of us will forget: the donation of our very first vehicle to Tim Hudson, a veteran who accepted the keys surrounded by neighbors who had shown up to support him. It was the clearest expression yet of what AYS is about — turning appreciation into reliable transportation, repaired vehicles, and one less burden for those who already carry so much on our behalf.
Year one was the beginning. Year two is the build.
Why this mission, and why now
After housing, transportation is one of the largest expenses any family faces — and for the military members, veterans, and first responders we serve, it can be especially heavy. The average person in these professions earns around $48,000 a year, yet a significant share of that income goes toward keeping a vehicle running, with annual service costs averaging near $7,000 on cars that are, on average, more than a decade old. These are people who work long hours, absorb enormous stress, and put their lives on the line — and who are too often too proud to ask for help. AYS exists to bridge that gap, beginning with the automotive service and maintenance needs that keep our heroes on the road and at their posts.
That’s the heart behind the cars and the cocktails: every dollar raised goes toward oil changes, repairs, and — when the need is great — reliable vehicles for those who serve.
An evening worth showing up for
Cars & Cocktails 2026 takes place Friday, September 11, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:30 PM at Avila Golf & Country Club in Tampa. Guests can expect an evening of live entertainment, dinner, a signature cocktail, and both silent and live auctions, with special guest appearances throughout the night. It’s a celebration with purpose — equal parts good company and good cause — and a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with others who believe our protectors deserve gratitude expressed in action, not just in words.
We’re also grateful to have Lou Piniella in our corner as a special ambassador for AYS. The Tampa baseball legend has been generous in his support, sharing that he loves the mission and wants to help us help the heroes in our community. We’re honored to have his voice behind the cause.
Be part of it
There are many ways to join us on September 11. You can register to attend and bring a friend — or a whole table of them. You can sponsor the event and stand your name or your business alongside a cause that matters; our donor levels range from Good Samaritan to Medal of Freedom to Medal of Honor, each with its own recognition. And if you can’t make the evening but still want to help, a gift of any size goes directly toward the mission.
As we mark 250 years of this remarkable country and pause to remember the sacrifices of September 11, we can think of no better way to give thanks than by caring for the people who still answer the call every single day. What they commit to us is beyond what most of us can imagine. The least we can do is show up for them.
We hope you’ll join us. Forever grateful.
Register and find full event details at appreciateyourservice.org/events. To explore sponsorship or make a donation, visit appreciateyourservice.org/donate.
