Donation made to Empowering Healthy Veterans Campaign will supply free tickets to the Cultural Series event, Letters Home at USC Aiken
200 free tickets will be provided for the upcoming Cultural Series Show, Letters Home all thanks to a recent donation made to the Empowering Healthy Veterans Campaign (EHV) at the University of South Carolina Aiken. EHV focuses on overall veteran success recognition, the health of military veterans, and the health of the community.
The campaign will kick off with the Letters Home performance, on Tuesday, Oct. 17 in the Etherredge Center at 7:30 p.m. The play features the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq by bringing to life the actual letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East. A question-and-answer portion from cast members will then follow the play.
"My intent is to not only reach our campus veteran community but also reach the Aiken veteran community as well," said Robert Murphy, Director for Student Success.
Earlier this summer, Jeremy O'Donnell, the founder and managing partner of Model Performance Group, donated $15,000 to EHV. A portion of those funds will supply two free tickets for veterans, service members, and their families for the Letters Home performance. Model Performance Group is a locally veteran-owned and operated business that focuses on risk-based process simulation analytics with a specialization in nuclear manufacturing process simulation and analysis in the Department of Energy (DOE) / National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) complex.
"I'm a Navy veteran myself," O'Donnell said. "When I started Model Performance Group back in May of 2020, I did so with the desire to contribute a portion of the profits back into the community to organizations that benefit local veterans."
Since the company was founded, they have made several contributions to support military and veteran groups, JROTC programs, and most recently they were the main sponsor of Battle at the Alley, an event supporting the work of the Aiken County Veteran's Council.
"We are thrilled that Mr. O'Donnell has so generously provided tickets for our local military and veteran families," said Paul B. Crook, executive director of the Etherredge Center. "The Etherredge Center is honored to be able to present this production as part of our season of The Arts at the Etherredge Center since it complements the University's status as a College of Distinction for Military Support."
Military families can pick up the tickets while supplies last by showing military ID or proof of veteran status at the Etherredge Center box office or in the USC Aiken Office of Veteran and Military Student Success.
Tickets for those who are not part of the military or veteran community may purchase tickets by calling 803-641-3305 or by clicking here.
For more information, contact Angela Saxon, Angela.Saxon@usca.edu