by Malcolm Butler
Veterans have a special place in the heart of Louisiana Tech’s chapter of Alpha Chi Omega President Anna Grace Scott.
After all, she comes from a long line of family members who fought for and served our country.
Scott and her Alpha Chi Omega sisters will team up with other members of Louisiana Tech’s Greek system to hold a cookout fundraiser March 23 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to Argent Pavilion by the Thomas Assembly Center. The event is being sponsored by the Tech Interfraternity Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council.
All proceeds will go towards Woody’s Home for Veterans, a facility established in 2003 and located in Shreveport that provides a safe haven where veterans can interact with their fellow servicemen while receiving the psychiatric and supportive care. According to its website, there are an estimated 350 homeless veterans in the state of Louisiana.
“Because my father served in the army, my grandfather served in the air force, and my grandmother worked for the Department of Defense, this event is near and dear to my heart,” said Scott, a senior from Pineville. “I have witnessed the mental toll that serving our country can take on someone, and I believe Woody’s Home for Veterans is an amazing nonprofit doing things to better the lives of the people who fought for us to be here today.
“Although our Greek life on campus raises money for their own philanthropies, seeing everyone come together to raise money for Woody’s Home for Veterans has been very inspiring and reassuring of my choice to attend Louisiana Tech and be apart of Greek life. I know this event will not only raise money, but also awareness of the mental and physical state some veterans are left in. Veterans should not be left homeless and on the street after all they did for our country, so I am happy to use my voice and resources to advocate for our veterans.”
Jared “Pudge” Callender, IFC President and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, said that although he and his Greek brothers and sisters are happy to help raise money for such a worthy cause, it’s about much more than just that.
“Of course we want to raise money for the men and women at Woody’s Home for Veterans, but much more than that we are doing this to show our support and appreciation for the veterans of this country,” said Callender. “As a member of a fraternity and IFC, you are given the opportunity to do something great for others and that’s what we are aiming to do this weekend. This event is a chance to show our gratitude and respect towards our veterans and it’s something I’m truly grateful to be a part of.”
The menu for Saturday’s event includes different items prepared by the individual fraternities and sororities, including seafood pasta, hamburgers and hotdogs, pastalaya, chili, pulled pork, jambayla, and a variety of desserts.
The menu and the ability to pre-purchase tickets online are available HERE.
Craig Moss, Student Activity Coordinator at Louisiana Tech University, bragged about the coordination throughout the Tech Greek System in this endeavor.
“I am incredibly proud of our amazing Greek organizations here at Louisiana Tech, who have united and have come together to host a Greek wide fundraiser for our veterans,” said Moss. “This collaboration showcases the strength and spirit of our Greek community on our campus as we unite for a common purpose: honoring those who have bravely served our country.
“This cookout will benefit and provide vital support to our veterans. It’s an honor to serve our veterans and it is humbling to see our young men and women in our Greek organizations want to give back to those who dedicated their lives to serve our nation. We have an amazing Greek Community! Together we can make a difference.”
