The West Virginia Elks Association recently donated $1,000 to Marshall University’s Veterans for Veterans, a student organization composed of student veterans whose mission is to engage veterans and the community at large.
The grant follows the organization’s partnership with the Elks for a successful tailgate Nov. 14, which hosted about 65 homeless veterans for Marshall’s football game against Florida International University.
“Because of the tailgate and the Vets for Vets program, we were able to treat veterans to more food than they could eat that day,” said John Penn, the Adopt a Veteran representative for the WV Elks Association. “Veterans came to the tailgate from the Veterans Affairs medical centers in Beckley and Huntington, the WV Veterans Home in Barboursville, and the Homeless Veterans Center in Huntington.
Kim White, director of Marshall’s Military and Veterans Affairs Office, said the funds would go toward food, beverages and a canopy for next year’s tailgating event.
“Any remaining money will be used to purchase educational materials for students and academics and housing for veterans in need,” White said.
For more information about the Veterans for Veterans organization, visit www.marshall.edu/military or e-mail White at whitek@marshall.edu.
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Photos: Marshall University’s Veterans for Veterans program partnered with the WV Elks Association to host a Nov. 14 tailgate for 65 homeless veterans.