Big things are happening at High Point University. And no, I am not talking about their basketball team, which is in the NIT (National Invitational Tournament) for just the second time in school history.

The Zeta Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order, a fraternity at the university, has created an initiative to raise funds and purchase a Track Chair for a wounded veteran. The initiative is called “Operation KARE.” According to the fraternity’s fundraising website, “Track Chairs are built for the active veteran…They can fish, hunt, go camping or simply enjoy the outdoors in all weather conditions.” The fraternity has partnered with the Independence Fund and Heal Team 6, two organizations helping with the initiative.

Operation KARE is funded solely on donations and partnerships. The chair costs $16,000 and the fraternity has already raised $5,000 since their campaign’s kickoff about a week ago. They will hold an event on April 23rd, on the campus of High Point University, to unveil their check.

Most importantly, the initiative is reaching out to students and citizens across the country to become more aware of the issues veterans face. According to Michael Esposito, president of the KA fraternity at High Point University, “members of the fraternity, their families, and people in the community have donated to the cause. It’s inspiring to see the vast response in such a short period of time, but even more inspiring to see the level of respect and care people have for our nation’s heroes. In addition, we have 74 hard-working guys who are helping us achieve our goal.” Even if students and community members are unable to donate, the fraternity hopes to spread their pro-veteran message to as many people as possible.

The media and the general public paint millennials as lazy and unappreciative of our nation’s veterans. While that stereotype is true sometimes, big things are happening on the campus of High Point University to slash that perception. Operation KARE is just one initiative, put on by one fraternity, at one college. Despite that, it is an initiative that will have a positive lasting effect on one of our nation’s heroes. Coming from a generation that is stereotypically unappreciative, this initiative needs our support and admiration.

If you’re interested in donating to the cause, please click here.

If you have any questions, please email Michael Esposito at [email protected] or Alex Frees at [email protected]