Fall Ball puts service before spotlight
A student-led gala with a mission: Penn State Scranton Corporate Communication majors are teaming up with Valhalla Veterans Services to stage the annual Fall Ball on Saturday, November 9 at Fiorelli's Catering, 1501 Main Street, Peckville. The event is open to the public and framed as 'Dinner and Shenanigans for all' — a lighthearted night built around a serious purpose.
At the center of the evening is one goal: funding counseling so veterans and their families can get help at low or no cost. Proceeds support Valhalla Veterans Services, a nonprofit focused on timely, stigma-free access to care. That mix of celebration and support is by design; organizers want a welcoming space that honors military culture while channeling dollars directly into services.
The need is real and stubborn. The VA's 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report estimates roughly 17 veterans die by suicide each day. Behind those numbers are people waiting for therapy, couples trying to navigate the strain of readjustment, and families looking for dependable care they can afford. Events like the Fall Ball help close that gap by funding sessions and related supports when budgets come up short.
Students are handling the nuts and bolts: outreach to local businesses, event logistics, media planning, and on-site coordination. It is hands-on work — building a run-of-show, setting a budget, managing vendors, and crafting messages that treat the subject matter with care. For attendees, it looks like a seamless evening. For students, it is months of professional experience with real stakes and real community impact.
Valhalla's model is straightforward: remove barriers to care, especially cost and wait times, and meet veterans where they are. That can mean shorter paths to intake, family-inclusive counseling, and practical support that keeps people engaged in treatment. While program details vary by case, the constant is access. The Fall Ball expands that access by underwriting care for those who would otherwise put it off.
What should guests expect? A warm, community-first event that blends ceremony with a relaxed vibe. The message is consistent throughout the night: celebrate service, lift up families, and direct resources to the front lines of care. Organizers say the program will keep the focus on impact rather than spectacle.
The collaboration also shows what public universities can do when coursework meets community need. Students get a live case study in ethical communication, partnership building, and crisis-sensitive messaging. Valhalla gains added capacity — more hands for planning, more voices for outreach, and a bigger platform to explain how donations turn into counseling hours.
The timing matters, too. Fall is a season packed with veterans observances and community gatherings. Placing a fundraiser in that window lets organizers reach people already thinking about service and sacrifice — and ready to act. For many families, that first step toward care starts with a conversation at an event like this.
The public is invited to attend on Saturday, November 9, at Fiorelli's Catering in Peckville. Ticketing and program details will be shared by organizers through their usual channels. If you care about veterans mental health — and want your night out to move the needle — this is built for you.
Why this partnership matters now
Access to care hinges on speed, affordability, and trust. Community-based fundraisers make a dent in all three. They shrink waitlists, cover out-of-pocket costs, and signal to veterans that their community is showing up in tangible ways. When students help power that effort, the impact multiplies: more outreach, wider networks, and a new generation trained to communicate on tough issues with accuracy and empathy.
Valhalla Veterans Services brings the clinical mission; Penn State Scranton brings energy and skills. The Fall Ball brings everyone into the same room with a clear purpose. In a space where every dollar can convert to more counseling hours, that alignment is exactly the point.