Kids run by screaming as parents sign a waiver, now putting their kids in the hands of the University of Northern Colorado. More specifically, in the hands of Veterans Services. Veterans Services hosted their second parents night of the year on Feb 16. They hosted this event this year in hopes to give all parents a chance to drop their kids off for a couple of hours, so they can have some time to themselves. Parents night give parents the opportunity to have an evening of relaxation.
Arianna Wiesen, a senior psychology major, is head of the event planning team. After seeing a similar event, Wiesen was inspired to plan Parent’s Night. Veterans Services first hosted this event during fall semester. Planning the event was slightly difficult because it was brand new, but more kids showed up this semester compared to last semester.
This semester Veterans Services screened the 2016 movie “The Secret Life of Pets” and did crafts with the kids, including small rainbows with paper plates.
Along with this event, Veterans Services was accepting donations for the Student Veterans of America relief fund, which helps student veterans and students dependent on veteran parents.
Jatinder Shokar, a sophomore audiology and speech-language sciences major said that this event was important to show that not only are students important to UNC, but that their kids are as well.
“It’s nice for parents to know that their kids are welcome, too,” Shokar said.
Danny Medoff, a student staff member with Veteran Services, is a former veteran himself, and said events like this are meant to reach out to the small amount of students on campus who are parents. Medoff said he hasn’t really noticed any other events on campus that is geared towards children.
“We’re reaching out to the minor population of our students who have children. I have a lot of respect for people who have children and go to college,” Medoff said. “I understand just how hard it is to take care of myself. Being able to give them a night to relax is awesome.”
UNC Veterans Services: http://www.unco.edu/veterans-services/
