August Marks Start of
School Year and More Opportunities for Veterans
As summer comes to a close, we bring you the August edition of Investing in Heroes. As we begin to get ready for a new school year, we focus on upcoming events for our veteran families and highlight one of our staff members who received a very special honor from the Vietnam Veterans of America. We also introduce you to the Rio Salado Dental Hygiene Clinic and tell you about their event that was just held in support of our veteran community.
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Kelly
Mills, Manager of West Valley Veterans Center, Honored By
VVA
Congratulations to Kelly Mills, Manager of the Military and Veteran Success Center at Luke Air Force Base, who received the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Achievement Medal. This medal is given to members of VVA, and veterans and non-veterans who display exemplary dedication to serve all veterans, their families and caregivers. Mills is a gold star wife and mother of a 7 year old son. She worked as a Veteran Outreach Coordinator for U.S. Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema before joining Rio Salado Community College, where she now helps transitioning military, veterans and spouses with holistic support such as jobs, education and benefits.
Shown in this photo from left to right:
Greg Pereira, Gene Crego, VVA Arizona State President, Kelly Mills and Barbara Khalsa
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Gold Star Wives Host 50th Year Event to Honor Vietnam Era Veterans and Widows
The Gold Star Wives, Phoenix Chapter, is hosting an event on Saturday, September 22nd, to honor members of all of the military services and their widows who served during the Vietnam era time period of Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975 . The chapter is in the process of trying to identify all those who served our country anywhere in the world during this time period, or those who lost a spouse during this
time, due to a KIA (Killed in Action), POW (Prisoner of War), MIA (Missing in Action), DOD (Department of Defense) death or service related injury.
“It is a big job a on a short timeline,” said Betty Stewart, Chaplain to
the Phoenix Chapter. “If you know someone who served in Vietnam or was killed and has family left in the area, have them contact us right away.”
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Rio Salado Dental Clinic Helps Veterans
in Need
The Rio Salado team was joined by volunteer dentists, lab technicians and assistants who provided free care to more than 50 veterans who were not able to receive services at other community events hosted by CADSF throughout the year. The top priority was relieving pain and infection. Volunteers were also on duty to provide exams, x-rays, some basic lab work, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions, simple root canals, and denture services.
Among the air force veterans served was John Hulett, who was getting help with new dentures. “It is absolutely critical to my overall health,” said Hulett, who was interviewed by ABC15 Arizona Reporter Jamie Warren. (watch the video now).
“This free clinic is a great way for us to get real-life practical learning experience — while giving back to our community,” said Rio Salado Dental Hygiene student Christina Pflumm, who was among the 20 Rio Salado students who volunteered at the clinic.
“Community service is a core principle at Rio Salado College — and a requirement for dental hygiene students, who volunteer at least 40 hours of service during their program of study,” said Rio Salado Dental Programs Instructional Services Supervisor Patty Price, a long-time CADSF volunteer who helped to organize the event.
The Rio Salado Dental Hygiene clinic is open to the public all year long — providing comprehensive services at affordable rates. For more information call 480-377-4100 or visit riosalado.edu/dentalclinic for more details.
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Your Support Matters
You can make a difference in the lives of our veterans by making a gift to the Veterans Success Project today through the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. Not only will your gift provide veterans with the essentials they need, it will go towards long-lasting
assistance towards Veterans Centers and other proposed items within the
Project, dependent on raising funds to support them.
Let’s Hear From You
Do you have an interesting veteran’s story you’d like
featured? Click here and tell us all about it.
Do you have questions about
the Veterans Success Project? Click here.
It’s an honor that U.S.
veterans, active reservists, and family members of veterans are among
our student body. Both active-duty military personnel and veterans
often seek educational support and job training to transition from
military service to civilian life, and many will start with a
community college.
At Maricopa Community
Colleges, services for military personnel and veterans are designed
to offer the highest quality assistance. We have a long history of
providing education and training, allowing you to enhance existing
skills, gain new skills, and translate military training and
experience into a rewarding career.
We have an established
tradition of providing access to higher education – in other words,
we are dedicated to serving those who serve.
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All of our colleges have
received the Veteran Supportive Campus designation by the
Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. Additionally, MCCCD is a
partner organization of the Military/Veteran Resource Network.
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The Maricopa Community
Colleges Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization
designated by the Maricopa County
Community College District to receive and manage gifts on
behalf of its ten colleges, two skill centers and multiple satellite
centers. The Foundation actively seeks contributions from a variety
of public and private sources including individuals, corporations and
other foundations. It acts as a trustee for donations to assure that
gifts are distributed in the manner specified by the donor.
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