Panola College Green Jackets, SGA donate $1,500 to Panola County Veterans Relief Fund

The Green Jackets and Student Government Association, two on-campus student organizations at Panola College, donated $1,500 to the Panola County Texas Veterans Relief Fund on Tuesday, February 27. The donation was accepted by Bill Morris, the founder of the Panola County Texas Veterans Relief Fund and the Veterans service officer for Panola County.

“This year, we were able to increase our donation to the Veterans Relief Fund by $500 due to the support for the Veterans Day Dinner we host each year on campus,” said Katie Ferris, sponsor of the Green Jackets. “It is an honor to be able to host the annual Veterans event, but it would not be possible without our generous sponsors and their continued support.”

The donated funds were raised through sponsorships that were sold for the annual Veterans Day Dinner, an event coordinated by the Green Jackets and Student Government Association members and sponsors. The event is free to attend for any East Texas service member and is hosted each Veterans Day. Sponsorships are used to fund the Veterans event, benefit the Veterans Relief Fund, and fund future Veterans events hosted at the College.

Sponsors for the 2023 Veterans Day Dinner included: Title Sponsor, Panola College Foundation; Event Sponsors, Carthage Service League, Louisiana Pacific, DPT Services, and Bear Creek Smokehouse; Table Sponsors, First State Bank & Trust, Quick Visit Urgent Care, Gene & Brenda Giles, and Ransom Drilling Services, LLC; Seat Sponsors, Panola County Gun Club, Larry & Donna Moreland, Bud Worley, and A&E Dining; and 12 Flag of Honor sponsors.

“The Veterans Day Dinner was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by brave men and women, who selflessly fought for their country's ideals and freedoms,” said Mallu Cardoso, a first-year Green Jacket. “Seeing them honored for their hard work, dedication, and unwavering patriotism was truly inspiring. It was a moment that highlighted the importance of honoring and recognizing the contributions of our Veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but every day.”

Pictured (from left to right): Rheanna Richardson, Rileigh Powell, Crystal Edwards, Estrella Villanueva, Eric Moreland, Isabella Zamarron, Jordan “JJ” Light, Bill Morris, Triston Batchelor, Hannah Solis, Tuff Whitehead, Abi Kate Cawthon, Lyle Harriman, and Jody Harris.