 "Photo: Evan Davis ~ Daily Egyptian")
The Illinois Lottery along with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs revealed a new scratch-off lottery ticket Thursday at the Student Health Center Auditorium.
The new $2 ticket, called “Stars & Stripes,” is part of an initiative launched in 2006 by Gov. Pat Quinn.
The initiative, known as the “Veterans’ Cash Fund,” gives out grants from the proceeds to organizations that apply for money in order to help veterans with post traumatic stress disorder, health insurance costs, long-term health care and many other problems, said Dan Grant, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Grant said SIUC has served as one of the top Illinois universities for the treatment of veterans.
“We talk about this school across the state as a role model for how to treat veterans,” Grant said.
Grant said the ticket would give 100 percent of the proceeds to fund veterans’ organizations across the state.
Chris Piha, a senior from Carol Stream studying history and the newly appointed veterans coordinator, said the university received $100,000 from the lottery in July.
“This university has gone above and beyond to provide the support veterans need,” Piha said. “I’m proud to say I’m a veteran, but I’m even more proud to say I’m a Saluki.”
Alan Beck, president of the SIUC Veterans Organization, said many veterans have used the grant.
“I know a lot of people have taken advantage of the dental, myself included,” Beck said. “It’s one of those things you really don’t want to pay for because it’s so expensive.”
Beck said if it weren’t for the services veterans receive, he would not be in a position to graduate.
The Veterans’ Cash Fund has raised $7.2 million since 2006.
Tracey Manuel, special ticket manager with the Illinois State Lottery, said ticket buyers can also submit $20 worth of used lottery tickets and the lottery, in turn, would send out care packages to U.S. troops.
“It makes me so proud, being the daughter of a veteran, to see this ticket,” Manuel said. “We want to continue with this initiative because our veterans are so important.”
Manuel said 2.4 million tickets are being printed, and they have a goal of raising $1.3 million.
Chancellor Sam Goldman said veterans are important to the university.
“Providing veterans with outstanding services is a top priority with this university,” Goldman said. “We are very appreciative of the confidence shown in our university by Dan Grant and Tracey Manuel.”
Stile Smith can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 259 or sts34@siu.edu
