Kappa Alpha Order donates new track chair to wounded warrior
Kappa Alpha Order presented veteran PJ Glavey with a track chair. Photo submitted.
By Edward Lennon// Staff Writer
Through the eyes of some people, it is perceived that a fraternity’s motive is to host fun parties and be popular on campus. However, this is far from true. As exhibited by High Point University’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Order, a fraternity has the potential to positively impact the lives of others and become a powerful force of united and determined young men.
Operation KARE is a fundraiser that was established by members of Kappa Alpha Order at High Point University. This initiative provides support and mobility solutions to the nation’s wounded service men and women. The chapter joined forces with the Independence Fund to aid in their efforts to improve the lives of the well-deserving veterans of the U.S. military.
The Independence Fund is a group that supports veterans through the supply of track chairs and other mobility solutions. Together, they raise money to purchase track chairs for wounded veterans. These chairs are expensive, making it difficult for veterans to acquire them. These chairs allow veterans to go on basically every terrain, bringing more freedom to the user.
Ryan McCartney, the recording secretary of the chapter, says that this initiative is very meaningful to their chapter because it is beyond important to help improve the lives of veterans.
“Being a college student, I cannot fathom the hardships and the toll war must take on these brave men and women,” McCartney said. “That is why I am appreciative of their sacrifices everyday so that I and so many others can enjoy the freedom that they fight to protect.”
After launching on Feb. 1, 2016, the chapter worked on raising money for Operation KARE. One year later, the fraternity had raised more than $52,000 for the campaign. This allowed them to provide two track chairs to veterans in need.
After becoming president of his chapter, Michael Esposito had one goal – he wanted his chapter to become more philanthropically engaged.
“Not only did we want to become more engaged, we wanted to make sure our efforts would have a real impact,” said Esposito, former chapter president and project leader for Operation KARE. “We didn’t want to just raise money for an organization; we wanted to raise money for people.”
This came true for the first time last April. After raising over $25,000, Kappa Alpha Order surprised retired Army Sergeant Michael Verado, who was severely wounded in Afghanistan, with a chair.
This year, the brothers planned to make their efforts more personal. The Operation KARE Committee decided to deliver the track chair to a family member of an active Kappa Alpha brother: junior Ross Pavlovich’s cousin, PJ Glavey. Glavey is a former Marine Captain who was severely injured in Afghanistan.
On March 18, Kappa Alpha Order presented Glavey and his family with the chair. Speakers at the event included: Esposito; Pavlovich; Patrick Loughran, chapter president; and Larry Quinn, HPU professor and veteran.
Pavlovich said he was extremely appreciated to see so many individuals put in the time and efforts to help his family.
“I am beyond thankful to be a member of Kappa Alpha Order,” Pavlovich said. “They went above and beyond for my other family.”