A group representing VPCC recently volunteered at the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. They included (kneeling left to right) VERITAS Liaison David Lannon, SVA President Lew Silverman, (back row l-r) SVA member Christopher Kwilecki, SVA Treasurer Rebecca Rich, Military and Veterans Services Adviser Kathy Carbaugh and SVA Secretary Robert Philman.
It’s a busy time of the year for Virginia Peninsula Community College’s Military and Veterans Services team.
On March 7, the group joined members of VPCC’s Student Veterans of America in volunteering at the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank in Hampton. The volunteers were assigned to the quality assurance/sorting room, where they were trained to organize and inspect donated food to ensure donations met the foodbank’s standards for safety.
David Lannon, the College’s VERITAS liaison, said the team is planning to volunteer again during the summer semester, but details haven’t been finalized. He said there should be an announcement soon.
On March 22, Military and Veteran Services will welcome Paws for Purple Hearts, a program where service dogs, along with their handlers, will be at the Hampton campus to provide emotional support to students and staff.
The dogs will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Wythe Hall, Room 253. Paws for Purple Hearts will also be on campus May 3, Aug. 23, Oct. 25, and Dec. 13. Those visits are all 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Lannon said although the program is aimed at VPCC “students using military benefits, any student, staff member, or faculty who needs a little encouragement throughout their day can stop by and visit the service dog.”