For Dr. Tim Novelli, the Patriot Ball is about much more than an evening of celebration, patriotism and honoring some of the nation’s most decorated military heroes.
It’s about giving back to the men and women who have sacrificed for their country — and making sure those sacrifices are never forgotten.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, approximately 800 people are expected to gather at the Canton Civic Center for the annual Patriot Ball, an event that brings together veterans, military families, first responders, community supporters and recipients of the nation’s highest military decoration.
But behind the evening’s festivities is a mission that began 14 years ago with a chance encounter between a Northeast Ohio chiropractor and a severely wounded American veteran.
Today, that mission has grown into a nationwide network of more than 5,000 chiropractic clinics providing free care to military members, veterans and their families.
And according to Novelli, the man who founded the Patriot Project in 2012, it all started with one patient.
A chance encounter that changed everything
Novelli recalled receiving a telephone call about Dana Bowman, a former U.S. Army Golden Knight parachutist who lost both legs in a midair training accident.
Bowman was traveling from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center toward Texas when severe neck pain made it difficult for him to continue driving.
After Novelli treated him, Bowman recognized the potential to help other wounded service members dealing with similar physical challenges.
That conversation eventually led Novelli to Texas, where he spent several days treating wounded veterans at an event organized by Bowman.
Working beneath a canopy at an airfield, Novelli estimated he treated between 250 and 300 patients over three or four days.
What he encountered went far beyond ordinary aches and pains.
Veterans described struggling with chronic pain and dependence on prescription medications, sometimes feeling they had few alternatives.
The experience convinced Novelli that the chiropractic profession could play a larger role in supporting those who had served.
In 2012, the Patriot Project was born.
From one chiropractor to 5,000 clinics
What began as a grassroots effort to recruit local chiropractors has expanded into a network spanning all 50 states.
The Patriot Project connects active-duty military members and their families, wounded veterans and Gold Star dependents with participating chiropractors willing to provide care at no cost.
Novelli said the organization has maintained one nonnegotiable requirement: The care must be completely free.
“Free is free forever,” Novelli told Jordan Miller News.
He said some clinics were removed from the network after the organization learned they were offering only initial examinations or treatments for free before charging patients for additional visits.
Other clinics were removed because they were no longer actively participating.
Novelli said the organization is determined to protect military families from being misled by providers claiming to offer charitable services.
The organization operates without a traditional paid administrative staff, according to Novelli. There is no payroll or separate office rent, with much of the administrative work handled through his North Canton chiropractic practice.
A small group of volunteers helps coordinate operations and organize the Patriot Ball, the organization’s primary annual fundraiser.
Several of those volunteers are in their 70s and 80s.
Despite its relatively small administrative operation, Novelli estimates the nationwide network provides more than $100 million worth of free chiropractic care and reaches tens of thousands of people annually.
Those figures are the organization’s estimates.
For Novelli, however, the greatest measure of success is not the dollar value of the services provided.
It’s helping a veteran manage pain well enough to attend a child’s football game, participate in family activities or enjoy everyday moments that might otherwise be difficult.
Novelli believes access to chiropractic care can also help some patients reduce their reliance on pain medication, although individual treatment outcomes vary.
“We’re taking people out of pain. We’re giving them their life back,” Novelli said.
Eight Medal of Honor recipients coming to Canton
Among the most anticipated aspects of this year’s Patriot Ball is the expected attendance of eight Medal of Honor recipients.
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration for valor in combat.
Novelli said 15 living Medal of Honor recipients serve on the Patriot Project’s board, providing the organization with a remarkable connection to some of America’s most celebrated military veterans.
Their involvement, he said, represents an important endorsement of the organization’s mission.
Many of the recipients have developed close relationships with Novelli over the years, sometimes traveling to Northeast Ohio for extended visits and treatment at his clinic.
Their presence in Canton this weekend is expected to provide attendees with an opportunity to meet individuals whose extraordinary acts of courage have become part of American military history.
But Novelli emphasized that the event is not simply about celebrating military decorations.
It is also about honoring the service members, veterans and families whose sacrifices may never receive national recognition.
A night of healing, remembrance and community
The Patriot Ball has grown considerably since its early years.
Novelli said the first event was held at the Hoover picnic grounds before eventually moving to La Pizzaria as attendance increased.
In recent years, organizers have capped attendance at approximately 900 people.
This year’s expected crowd of 800 is slightly smaller, something Novelli attributes in part to economic challenges affecting families and businesses.
Still, he considers that level of community support significant.
And while the event serves as the Patriot Project’s major annual fundraiser, organizers also make an effort to ensure those being honored can participate regardless of their financial circumstances.
Novelli said complimentary tickets and tables are provided to Gold Star families, veterans who cannot afford admission, first responders and organizations that support military families.
Among the groups he mentioned are Blue Star Mothers, the Patriot Guard Riders and other veterans and community organizations.
For families who have lost a loved one in military service, Novelli hopes the evening offers something that cannot be measured financially.
A sense of belonging, remembrance and healing.
“It’s a patriotic night. It’s a night of fellowship, of brotherhood, of Americanism, and it’s a night of healing,” Novelli said.
That sense of healing, he explained, extends beyond wounded veterans to the spouses, children and families whose lives have also been shaped by military service and sacrifice.
An opportunity for the community to meet American heroes
The Patriot Ball is the centerpiece of several events planned in the Canton area this weekend.
On Friday, Nov. 6, Novelli will host a luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. at his North Canton chiropractic clinic, with food provided by Mission BBQ.
Later that afternoon, members of the public will have an opportunity to meet Medal of Honor recipients during a special gathering at M Bar Social from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Novelli said the gathering was organized in part to give residents who may not be able to afford tickets to the Patriot Ball an opportunity to meet the decorated veterans.
A separate VIP gathering is scheduled for Friday evening at Embassy Suites.
The weekend culminates Saturday with the Patriot Ball at the Canton Civic Center.
A mission that extends far beyond one night
Although the Patriot Ball brings hundreds of people together each year, Novelli hopes attendees leave understanding that the organization’s work continues long after the decorations come down and the evening ends.
The Patriot Project’s mission is carried out every day through chiropractors across the country who volunteer their time and services to help military families.
Novelli said he remains proud that an organization operating with limited administrative resources has developed into a nationwide effort serving thousands of people.
And despite the challenges of coordinating such a large network, he remains committed to keeping the care free.
For Novelli, the annual fundraiser is not about recognition for himself or the organization.
It’s about supporting the people who have served their country and ensuring they have access to help when they need it.
“We hate asking people for money, but it’s not for us,” Novelli said. “It’s for the men and women who keep us free.”
More information about the Patriot Project and its mission is available at www.patriot-project.org.
