Stay strong: Community event raises awareness for veterans’ mental health [Video]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – On short notice over fifty vendors packed the South Dakota Military Alliance on Sunday for the first-ever Stay Strong, Shop and Support event. The 54 vendors were put wherever they could find enough space, including on stage, in the entryway and in conference rooms.

The event was organized by the group Vendors Helping Vendors SD Area. The group supports each other’s businesses, but this time, it was also about supporting a good cause.

“Within twelve hours we had thirty vendors sign up,” recalled organizer Melissa Shrieves. “It was just two days later that we already had a waitlist.”

Many of the vendors involved either are veterans or have close connections to someone who served in the military. As Veteran’s Day approaches, they wanted to do their part to create positive change.

Raising awareness for veterans’ mental health was a cause many vendors latched …