Support Our Troops Haunted House donated funds to help finish the new center
Support Our Troops (SOT) Haunted House donated $2,000 to the Dakota County Technical College Foundation to benefit Military and Veteran Service Center. The donation will be used to purchase furniture and outfit a computer lab in the new Military and Veterans Service Center.
“The DCTC Military and Veterans Service Center is extremely grateful for the SOT Haunted Houses’ generous donation of $2,000,” said Kathy Bachman, South Metro Regional Coordinator of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Support Our Troops Haunted House raises money through its annual Haunted House held at the Dakota County Fairgrounds. The group provides assistance to local soldiers who are deployed, or have been deployed overseas, and their families. The group also provides assistance to organizations that support active military personnel and veterans.
Members of the Support Our Troops Haunted House presented a check to the center during an informal meeting Aug. 26. Haunted House board member Germaine Beyl said making the donation was a no brainer.
“We knew it would be put to a good use,” said Germaine.
In a new, larger location Bachman said the Military and Veteran Service Center hopes to make a bigger impact. The new center, which is located on the second floor on the East End of the Central Commons, offers a suite of rooms including a computer room, a quiet room for studying and private meetings, and an office.
In their new space, Bachman said the Military and Veterans Service Center hopes to accomplish a number of objectives including: increase the veteran graduation rate, reduce those on academic warning, increase the percentage of students who receive credit for prior learning and competency certification for military training, and provide reintegration and peer support.
A place veterans, current military and their families can go for help, Bachman said staff is there to help with any questions, needs and concerns they have, college related or not. The center will become a one-stop shop for any type of assistance veterans need to succeed in college.
Specifically, Bachman said the center will have monthly visits by the Minneapolis VA Medical Center for assistance with VA claims, and a VA Vet Center counselor will provide counseling services to veterans and their families. Lastly, DCTC School Certifying Official, Enrollment Advisor and Financial Aid Specialist Jabra Kawas and Disability Coordinator Anne Swanberg will be in the center twice a week to assist students in reaching their academic goals. More services, such as meetings with the Dakota County Service Officer, may also be arranged.
Bachman said the support from the Support Our Troops Haunted House will help the center provide a great resource for military and veteran students on campus.
The Support Our Troops Haunted House will be held 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 8 and Oct. 14, 15 in the Dakota County Fairgrounds 4-H Building. To learn more visit www.supportourtroopshh.com.
To learn more about making a donation through the DCTC Foundation contact:
