Minnesota has more than 294,000 Veterans, but many do not take advantage of the benefits they have earned. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is dedicated to connecting Veterans and their families with their federal and state care and benefits.

So how does MDVA get the word out?

• County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) are local experts available in all of Minnesota’s 87 counties and do local outreach.
• LinkVet is MDVA’s online and phone support service that answers thousands of phone calls, emails and online chats each year.
• MDVA staff from Field Operations and Higher Education are in the community attending events and connecting with Veterans and families year-round.

Still, many Veterans only use their burial benefit.

To reach more Veterans and families, MDVA is piloting outreach at pro sports events this fall. Most sports teams sponsor a Military and Veteran Appreciation game during their seasons, and often discounted tickets for Veterans are available and special events take place during the game. So far, MDVA will attend:

• Minnesota Wild Hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
• Minnesota Gophers Football game at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4.
• Minnesota Vikings Football game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 12.

Game activities vary but all will include an information table and space where MDVA team members hope to connect with Veterans and families to start a relationship with those who are not familiar with the agency. There are also advertising opportunities in the stadiums for the Gophers and Vikings to increase awareness of MDVA.

If these initial outreach events go well, MDVA plans to explore more sports marketing opportunities with other teams in the winter and next spring and summer.