Woodhaven DECA held multiple events throughout fall and winter seasons to support their ongoing partnership with Downriver for Veterans, a charity event to support local veterans that served our country. DECA supports this organization by raising money for our school but also for the veterans in need. 

DECA was at it again in January when they hosted a Downriver for Veterans fundraiser at the WHS JV and varsity basketball games. The goal of the game was for veterans to come and walk out feeling appreciated and raise money for Downriver for Veterans to ensure more veterans can get what they need. The student organizers held a miracle minute and raffle that brought in $579 for the cause.

The event had a heartfelt meaning behind it, as Junior Ciara Castro explains, “I thought it would be a good act of kindness to help them in a way by hosting the basketball game and allowing others to donate money to them by attending and buyi

ng stuff that will be sold…also I think they would be happy to see how many people are grateful for them as well because putting a smile on their face would be such a nice thing to see.” 

But this event was just one of many events where Woodhaven DECA students 

In November, Michelle Castro, Ciara Castro, and D’Juan Hall led a food drive at Kroger on West Rd. where they collected $6,000 worth of food, all of which provided for our veterans. 

The Woodhaven DECA celebrated a very special birthday in the veteran community when WWII veteran Henry Piwowar turned 100 years old in October. Students volunteered to make special cards to honor the legacy. Piwowar said he felt very happy and knew that he was really cared about. 

For Veteran’s Day, DECA students went to Michigan Memorial to put flags and red carnations on the veterans’ graves. Junior project coordinator Gabriella Randazzo explains the importance of this event, “I feel this is important to do things like this for our veterans because they put their lives into fighting for our country, and we would not be where we are without them. Many of these gravesites were fallen soldiers from the World Wars, and we learned a lot from the other veterans volunteering.” 

Also on Veterans Day, the students held a luncheon for the veterans at the UAW hall to come together as one and have a good time. There were 72 veterans who attended and 152 people total with volunteers and vendors including Victory Gym and Bang Energy Drinks. The Downriver for Veterans organization helped run the event and the DECA team had got to hear stories from Veterans and how these Vendors helped them which had touched their hearts. 

The DECA association had raised funds for the school but also for our veterans in need. Keep a lookout for more events to come with our DECA team.