What started out to be a kind gesture by the Mayville State Collegiate DECA chapter to help out the Mayville VFW during their Veterans Day festivities on November 11, turned out to be a win-win situation for both groups.
Jason Perkins, a Mayville State student, DECA member, and member of the local VFW organization asked his fellow DECA members if they’d be willing to help out during the VFW’s Veterans Day dinner. Three of the DECA members volunteered. They are Nicole Meyer, Gretchen Freed, and Christopher Snook.
The DECA members enjoyed serving the food, tending bar, and visiting with the veterans. In turn, the veterans had a great time getting to know the Mayville State students. So much so, that they decided to donate the night’s tips to the DECA chapter AND match the total amount of tips. This resulted in a $150 donation from the VFW which will go to help the DECA students get to their national conference in Washington, D.C. during the spring semester.
“Our members were just doing this to serve the community and were not expecting to be paid in any way,” said DECA chapter advisor Rob Johnston. “We are delighted by the heart-warming response of the VFW members. This contribution to our goal of getting to the national conference is very much appreciated.”
Photo caption: Bruce Smeby (left), a member of the Mayville VFW, attended a recent Mayville State DECA meeting to present a check for $150 to the group. Accepting the check is DECA president Christopher Snook (right). DECA member Gretchen Freed is in the center.