Student Veterans Organization and ROTC Serve Local Veterans

During the University of Scranton’s week of Veterans Day observances, the ROTC program and the Student Veterans Organization (SVO) partnered to host a meaningful service initiative known as the “We Care” meal event. Led in part by SVO President Melany Ortiz, a sophomore forensic chemistry major, the project brought students together to support local veterans facing challenging circumstances.

Volunteers taking time to connect with veterans and learn more about the support programs offered at St. Francis Commons.

Ortiz played a central role in coordinating the event, helping plan the menu and assisting the organizer in any way needed. For her, the experience was not only a chance to lead but also a reminder of the community-driven mission at the heart of the SVO. “It shows that we care for our community and the veterans that are going through hard times,” she said. “There are people out there willing to take time out of their busy schedules and do something for someone in need.”

The event strongly reflected the values of service, compassion and the Jesuit commitment to caring for others. For Ortiz, serving veterans holds personal meaning. She noted the importance of giving back to those who have served, acknowledging that anyone may someday need support themselves. “Giving back to veterans will always be a goal for me to do in whatever way I can,” she said.

By the end of the initiative, students had prepared 60 meals: 30 were delivered to St. Francis Commons and another 30 to the Community Intervention Center (CIC). At St. Francis Commons, participants had the opportunity to speak with a resident veteran and see firsthand the living spaces provided through the center’s two-year supportive program.

Through the “We Care” meal event, Scranton’s ROTC and SVO reaffirmed their dedication to honoring veterans not only with words, but through meaningful action and service.