Texas A&M Hosts Military Appreciation Tailgate For Area Veterans
By Sam Peshek, Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications
The Texas A&M University Veteran Resource and Support Center, the Division of Marketing & Communications, Operation Hat Trick (OHT), Academy and ‘47 Brand hosted a military appreciation tailgate prior to the Texas A&M-UAB game Saturday in a show of support and gratitude to student veterans and veterans throughout the Bryan-College Station area.
During the event, representatives from Operation Hat Trick, ’47 and members of Texas A&M’s Division of Marketing & Communications presented a $5,000 check to Brazos Valley Cares, an organization that supports veterans in the area.
The funds were raised through a portion of proceeds from the sale of Texas A&M-OHT merchandise. All funds donated to Brazos Valley Cares will be used locally, a point that OHT Founder, President and CEO Dot Sheehan underscored during her remarks at the event.
“You don’t want to hear that the money raised here will go to California, you want it to stay right in Texas, you want it to stay right here in the local community,” Sheehan said. “We are very pleased to make another donation thanks to Academy and ’47.”
This year’s donation to Brazos Valley Cares doubled last year’s donation of $2,500, but Texas A&M Vice President of Brand Development Shane Hinckley said he hopes to double it once more.
“It has been a goal within the university to ensure we are providing support activities for our veterans, our student veterans, and all of those who have served and their families,” Hinckley said.
More than 100 veterans and their families attended the on-campus event and took part in activities that included games, a raffle and apparel giveaways.
During the event, Veteran Resource and Support Center Director Col. Jerry Smith used the occasion to recognize an upcoming milestone.
“We are in the 99th year of veteran support at Texas A&M,” Smith said. “Next March we will start our second century of support, and because of folks like you, our second century of support for veterans will be that much better.”
Media contact: Sam Peshek, 979-845-4680, sam.peshek@tamu.edu.
