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    Keystone Warriors run for PA wounded veterans

    Keystone Warriors run for PA wounded veterans

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brad Miller | Stephanie Casado, temporary coordinator of the Veterans Affairs department at Kutztown...... read more read more

    KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Onlookers cheer as runners near the McFarland Student Union at Kutztown University. Coming around the bend, they spot little Maya clinging to her mother’s back as the Navy veteran charges toward the finish line.

    The Military Club at KU hosted its fourth annual Keystone Warrior 5k Run/Walk outside the McFarland Student Union, April 22, 2017.

    “We absolutely love this event,” said Stephanie Casado, temporary coordinator of the Veterans Affairs department at KU. “One of the reasons is because we can get the whole community involved as well as the veteran and military affiliates we have here on campus.”

    Over the course of the last four years, approximately 800 people have registered for the race. While the number of participants has declined, Matthew Stefancin, president of the MCKU, said he hopes that they can draw more attention to the event in the future.

    The all-volunteer MCKU, part of the Veterans Services department at the university, aids wounded servicemembers from military service to civilian life within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    “We feel it’s helping the veteran community as a whole,” said Stefancin, former Air Force Senior Airman. “It’s something that’s vital and needs to be done.”

    Planning for the race starts in early October by finding business sponsors, said Steven Sultzbach, former MCKU president, vice president and treasurer.

    “It’s not just a Military Club thing,” said Sultzbach, an Air Force Technical Sergeant with the 109th Air Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. “We link up with other campus organizations like the Public Affairs Club – they help us recruit runners and get the word out. We link up with the Health Club – they donated oranges and bananas for the runners. The more people we can get involved, the better.”

    The race serves as the MCKU’s primary fundraiser, Stefancin said. Up to 98 percent of money raised from the race provides assistance to wounded veterans before they receive benefits from Veterans Affairs.

    “The rest of the faculty and staff are wonderful about getting involved,” Casado said. “It’s a really neat opportunity to show our love and appreciation and support for our veteran community. It’s a really fun way to do it and an enjoyable afternoon.”

    The event is just one extension of the department, said Casado. The university also offers a veteran services center, where veterans can find camaraderie and support.

    “They get to make those personal connections and they feel like they have a place where they can feel safe and supportive,” said Casado. “We really try hard to accommodate our veteran students and make sure they feel welcome and supported.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.22.2017
    Date Posted: 05.02.2017 18:40
    Story ID: 232335
    Location: KUTZTOWN, PA, US
    Hometown: KUTZTOWN, PA, US

    Web Views: 107
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN