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Each year, the ������ý���� Veterans and Military Affairs Office hosts an evening of comedy and fundraising to support the ������ý���� Veterans Fund. The “Happy to be Here Comedy Show,” will take place on April 12 at 7 p.m. in the Theater in the Bart Luedeke Center (BLC).

While the event is free, donations are encouraged to help support the ������ý���� Veterans Fund, which helps veterans, military and dependents with unexpected expenses that could otherwise jeopardize their college education. The event will also honor the memory of Col. Frederick J. Yeager, Ph.D., a World War II veteran and ������ý���� professor.

Headline acts include Jesse Eighner and Jonathan McBride, along with ������ý���� student Zane Birnie and newcomer Trevor Gebhardt. The ������ý���� student group “The Rolling Tones” will perform the National Anthem, and the ������ý���� Improv Organizational Troupe (R.I.O.T.), the student improvisational comedy troupe, will perform sketches.

When ������ý���� first opened its doors in 1865, the institution’s initial class of students was composed primarily of veterans returning home from the Civil War. Today, ������ý���� is an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which allows men and women returning to civilian life from service in America’s current wars the opportunity to attend a private university through enhanced tuition benefits and supplemental scholarships and grants provided by participating colleges and universities. ������ý���� is a military friendly school with a gold designation and is approved by the NJDMAVA State Approving Agency to provide training and education to veterans and their dependents through numerous VA and federal educational benefit programs.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with an information fair in the BLC lobby. A number of veteran service organizations and related agencies will be in attendance such as VFW, Wounded Warrior, Transition Assistance, The Vet Center and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs NJDMAVA. All attendees will also receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes from an array of businesses, including Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s, Wawa, Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs, Tastee Subs, Hooters of Princeton, Killarney’s Pulick House and more.

Sponsored by the ������ý���� Veterans Association, an after-party will commence at the fire pit adjacent to the BLC, weather permitting, or the ������ý���� Pub. The comedians will be available for a meet and greet.

For additional information about the “Happy to be Here Comedy Show,” please contact Thomas Reddington of the ������ý���� Veterans and Military Affairs Office directly at reddington@rider.edu or call 609-896-5000, ext. 7382. Guests are asked to RSVP to veterans@rider.edu.