Pat Moody Foundation to hold Second Annual Gala in October

By Matt Pascarella

Last year the Pat Moody Foundation held its first gala to fundraise for youth sports, student athletes and the community. It was such a success that the members of the foundation decided it should be an annual event and the Second annual Pat Moody Foundation Gala will be held in Portland from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Keeley’s Banquet Center.

Members of the Pat Moody Foundation gather during the first
annual gala held at Keeley's Banquet Center in Portland on
Sept. 6, 2025. Shown are Sherma Moody, left, Chad
Pulkkinen, Tyler Graves, George McCrillis, Jedidiah Merrill,
Geoff Grigsby, Tracey Lydon and Todd Hamilton, in the
middle is Jeff Duquette. This October the Pat Moody
Foundation will hold its second annual gala to raise money
to help fund scholarships, youth sports and community
needs. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

“The goal of the gala is to bring awareness to really anyone and everyone that the Foundation exists, what the values of the foundation are, and of course to raise money so it can continue giving back the way it does,” said Volunteer Organizer Ashley Merrill. “The response from everyone afterward was incredible, and that’s when I knew this couldn’t just be a one-time event. Every ticket, sponsorship, auction bid and donation gets us closer – and ultimately allows the foundation to say yes to more people who need it. It’s really just one night that helps make possible the work the foundation and its board are doing throughout the entire year.”

The money raised goes right back into the community. The Pat Moody Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships each year, finds ways to support athletes such as helping with equipment or participation costs. The foundation also steps in when a family is facing a loss or hardship or simply needs someone in their corner.

Something very important to members of the Pat Moody Foundation is that community doesn’t end at Windham’s town lines. They want to be able to reach beyond the immediate community. They want other communities to be involved, both in supporting the foundation, but also to know that the foundation is there to support them.

During last year’s gala, Merrill set a goal of raising $25,000, and that goal was surpassed, as they raised nearly $30,000. They’ve upped the goal and are hoping to raise $35,000 during the Second Pat Moody Foundation Gala.

This year the theme is “After Hours Masquerade – For the Love of the Game.” While there is a lot of meaning behind the night, they also want it to be fun. Dress up. Bring a mask or make one when you get there. Bring your friends. Bid on something you’d absolutely love to have. Laugh. Stay late. Enjoy yourself.

The gala is not just a fundraising opportunity, but a chance to bring people together and to show them what they are actually supporting.

The money raised during last year’s gala was able to help with entry costs into basketball programs, clothing and uniforms for athletes, and the Pat Moody Foundation was able to provide almost $15,000 in scholarships to area seniors who had shown up for their community while excelling in school academics and sports.

“The gala provides an opportunity where the community can gather to have a great evening while supporting the youth and that is something that Pat would have enjoyed,” said Pat Moody Foundation board member Tracey Lydon. “It also gives us all the opportunity to share our individual stories of Pat. We are so excited to see this event coming back for a second year after the support we received last year, and we can’t thank Pat’s friends and the community as a whole enough for all the support.”

Every sponsorship, every auction donation, every ticket sold, every person who bids and even every person who simply shares one of their posts contributes to something much bigger, Lydon said.

“Pat was the type of person who showed up for people,” said Merrill. “This is our opportunity to keep showing up for people in his name. Our sponsors aren’t just putting their logo on a sign. They’re helping fund scholarships, create opportunities and allowing the Foundation to respond when someone needs help. We want our sponsors to feel like partners in what we’re doing, not simply donors.”

If you’d like to support the Foundation, but can’t attend the gala, the Pat Moody Foundation is looking for silent auction and raffle items. Reach out to Merrill or Lydon on the Pat Moody Foundation’s Facebook page.

Tickets are $110 each and can be purchased directly through Merrill or any Pat Moody Foundation board member. They accept cash, check and Venmo. Tickets can be mailed or picked up in person.

Please send Merill an email with any questions about the gala at [email protected] or reach out through the Pat Moody Foundation’s Facebook page. <