By Kristen Garza
There’s a new club on campus known as the Pink Beret and they have big plans to help the Kern County community. The Pink Beret is unique in that they focus on two areas within Kern County that need attention, which is a big task but they are meeting the challenge with hard work and dedication.
The club members feel passionate about those displaced and forgotten in our community. Their mission is to raise money and offer recognition to our forgotten heroes. The club aims to prove that our military veterans are remembered and to provide the praise and attention these men and women deserve after sacrificing for our country’s freedoms.
Also, the club strives to provide assistance to local animal shelters whether by volunteering or collecting donations. Companion pets can lose their luster and easily become a part of our ever-growing throwaway society, and the club recognizes the need to help the animals that cannot help themselves.
The club president Cassandra Staats, 23, a senior criminal justice major said, “So far, we get our money for donations from fundraisers and the dues we collect from the club members. In the fall, for the animals, we do a donation drive. A lot of our members volunteer at shelters and on Veteran’s Day we volunteer as a club for the Salute to Our Heroes celebration.”
Plus, the club recently raised $200 to split between their veteran’s fund and animal shelter fund by selling tickets for a valuable prize basket. Staats said the club plans to hold a car wash over the summer and also a food sale on campus after midterms in the spring quarter to raise money.
Goals for the club is to get their name out there and hopefully attract students that are interested in helping out in the community. The more members the club has the greater impact they can make in veteran’s and companion animal’s lives. Another goal is to collect funds to donate to the Veterans Affairs for a much needed VA hospital here in Kern County.
What sets Pink Beret apart from other clubs is that they are solely driven to help others outside the parameters of the campus. Many other clubs on campus work internally and focus on major, ethnicity or religion.
“I joined the Pink Beret because Cassandra Staats came to me with this great idea for a club she wanted to start. She wanted to focus on giving back to the armed forces, especially the veterans, and animal shelters here in Kern County. I thought it was an amazing idea. As a student at CSUB, I’m always looking for clubs to join that will make a real difference and put in the work. As the vice president I’m extremely proud of our officers and members. I hope that other students will see the work we do and want to be a part of this,” said Cassandra Cortez, 21, a senior biology major.
“The title Pink Beret was chosen because it shows that we support the military. There are Green Beret, Maroon Beret etc. and it just seemed fitting for the club,” said Staats.
The club has been active since fall of 2013 and has already gained several dedicated members. Cassandra Staats club president, Cassandra Cortez vice president, Cipriana Gonzalez treasury and Giovanni Salcedo secretary. Members include Gladis Herrera, Ariana Mariscal, Ashley Reiter and Stephanie Aranda.
Although they are new, they are a tenacious group who work hard and have big hearts. The members are motivated and have proven to be successful in their fundraising efforts.
For information on how to join the Pink Beret check out their CSUB page under ‘student organizations’ or email the club at [email protected]. Following them on Facebook is the best way to stay current on their fundraising schedule at facebook.com/thepinkberet2012.
