Help Our Heroes
The Help Our Heroes event took place on November 9, 2016, which, not so coincidentally near Veteran’s Day. The event took place in The Townsend Residential Life Center (TRLC) at eight pm, and was intended to gather students and staff interested in supporting veterans who have served our country.
Technically, the event started a day early for me as I helped work on the poster for my floor. We brainstormed the night before and then created the poster the next day between classes. Now, our (super impressive) poster is hanging up in the TRLC and acts as a physical representation of our support for veterans. While at the actual event, which was set up nicely and run efficiently, a lot of the people present were freshmen. The event started with making cards for wounded veterans, and a large array of craft supplies was provided. Most people managed to make about five well thought out cards a piece, and the overall turnout was wonderful. There had to be over a hundred cards in the end, and the creativity put into each one was apparent.
While the volunteers were making the cards, an informational video played about veterans and what they endured in the past as well as what they endure in the aftermath. It is really shocking to see how little attention is paid to the people who risk their lives protecting this country. Actually, most people I was sitting with agreed that they never thought much about how people with missing limbs and physical disabilities due to war went on with their lives. As the video played, we finished our cards. The entire time there was also refreshments and snacks, which is always a great way to get young and broke college kids to volunteer and consequentially learn about a good cause.
Overall, the event was run thoroughly and was an excellent combination of informational learning as well as active participation. Not one person went who didn’t put time into making posters for the cause or making cards, and the feeling of gratitude towards those who protect this country was tangible in the room. It was a very good event to attend especially during the election when many people in the country are against one another. While appreciating veterans, people ignore these aspects of politics and instead feel grateful to have a protected country.