While most Sacramento State, state and federal employees welcome Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, as a day off, it is really a day of recognition for veterans’ service to the country.
Sacramento State’s Student Veterans Organization collected clothing for homeless veterans from noon-2 p.m., Nov. 6, in the Library Quad. On Veteran’s Day, they will donate the clothing to the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center.
“We wanted a way to honor vets and to give back to the veteran community,” said Austin Sihoe, SVO member. “There are a lot of veterans who have slipped through the cracks and may not qualify for government support. It’s daunting to know that one of every three homeless people in this country is a prior vet. They are deserving of help from active veterans and the community for their service to our country.”
Sihoe said clothing of any type, especially winter clothing, would be accepted. He also said children’s clothing is needed. “People sometimes forget that these vets sometimes have a family to support too.”
“Military members making the transition to college often have questions about tuition programs, use of the GI Bill, benefit requirements and transferring military credits to college credits,” says Jeffrey Weston, Sacramento State veterans’ affairs coordinator. “Our job is to help make the process as smooth as possible for them.”
Weston said the University has about 1,000 students on campus that would benefit from a newTroops to College program.
The Troops to College program received a major boost in September when Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez and University Foundation Chair George Crandell announced a campaign to raise $100,000 for scholarships and other needed support services for veterans, active-duty military personnel and their dependents.
