Two injured veterans to receive Track Chairs from HPU Fraternity and The Independence Fund
The special presentation will take place during HPU’s annual Veterans Day celebration.
HIGH POINT, NC, October 28, 2021 – At High Point University’s annual Veterans Day celebration, the Kappa Alpha Order brethren at HPU will once again give the gift of mobility to injured veterans, through their continued fundraising efforts. to support The Independence Fund.
The Independence Fund is a leading national veterans organization and non-profit organization in North Carolina that partners with the Kappa Alpha Order brothers at HPU each year as part of their Operation KARE initiative. This year, they teamed up to change the lives of two American veterans.
At HPU’s annual Veterans Day celebration, which will welcome more than 1,000 veterans and their families at 8 a.m. on November 11, these HPU fraternity brethren will present two track chairs to two veterans, who will be present. The veterans are: Sgt. Joey Aguilar, who lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina, and served in the Army’s infantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Sgt. 1st The Randy Stone class, who lives in Midlothian, Va., And has served in the military, deploying on Operation Desert Storm and on several tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Veterans were identified by The Independence Fund as people whose lives would be enhanced by the unique and durable track chairs, which increase mobility in the outdoors.
“Our brothers are honored to support our nation’s heroes every year,” says Alex Hallahan, COO of Operation KARE and Brother KA. “This year, we are especially excited to present not one, but two wheelchairs to two deserving people so that they can once again be more active with their families. Supporting Veterans aligns with the values of our fellowship, the values of High Point University and the mission of the Independence Fund and Operation KARE. It is even more special to see these organizations coming together to make this possible.
“As CEO of The Independence Fund, I am proud of the many patriotic men and women who come together each year to organize fundraising events for the heroes of our country,” says Sarah Verardo. “As the wife of a catastrophically injured veteran and the proud older sister of a High Point University graduate, I am even more in awe of the men in this fraternity and the students of HPU. The leadership they show for future generations is essential in reminding wounded American veterans that they are not and never will be forgotten. We salute and congratulate the school and the fraternity for such an incredible result.
“The patriotism of these High Point University students touches my heart and reflects our university’s pride in our great nation and its heroes,” said HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “We are an institution of God, family and country, and the American flags fly high and mighty across our campus. The work of this fellowship to support the heroes of our nation is a shining example of our values.
How Operation KARE began
In 2016, students from High Point University and members of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, led by Michael Esposito, launched Operation KARE – an effort to raise thousands of dollars to donate to the Independence Fund in Charlotte. , North Carolina. The funds provide track chairs for injured veterans to increase their mobility in the outdoors and help them return to the activities they enjoy.
Since its inception, the Operation KARE project led by the Kappa Alpha Order of HPU has raised over $ 132,000 and donated six track chairs, including the two track chairs that will be on display at the event.
In addition to the direct contributions of these HPU brothers in brotherhood, they have also extended Operation KARE to many other chapters of the Kappa Alpha Order on more than 50 campuses nationwide. Nationally, the Fellowship and Operation KARE raised over $ 670,000 to donate 14 Action Trackchairs and support six different programs to help veterans and their families.
“It has been amazing to see the Operation KARE initiative, which started on the HPU campus, grow into a national initiative that has had far-reaching reach and impacted our country’s most deserving veterans,” says Michael Esposito, a 2017 HPU graduate who started Operation KARE. “I am very proud of my brotherhoods at HPU who remain dedicated to the advancement of this noble cause.”
About the Independence Fund:
Founded in 2007, The Independence Fund (501c3) is committed to empowering catastrophic, injured or ill veterans of our country to overcome the physical, mental and emotional injuries suffered in the line of duty. The Independence Fund is dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans and their families by delivering tangible impact. Through the Fund’s Mobility, Caregiver, Adaptive Sports, Advocacy, Suicide Prevention, Family and Crisis Relief programs, the Independence Fund strives to bridge the gap in the unmet needs of elders. combatants and their caregivers. The Independence Fund believes in fairness and equality for all veterans and their families, regardless of race, gender, religion and sexual orientation, and will continue to uphold these American values.
About High Point University:
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people .® HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with 5,850 undergraduates and graduate studies. It is ranked # 1 by US News and World Report for the best regional colleges in the South and # 1 for the most innovative regional colleges in the South. The Princeton Review named HPU in the 2022 edition of “Best 387 Colleges” and on the Southeast’s Top Colleges list “2022 Best Colleges: Region by Region”. HPU has also been recognized as a Grande Ecole for Business / Finance Majors, a Grande Ecole for Communication Majors and Large Dormitories. For 11 consecutive years, HPU has been named College of Distinction with special recognition for career development, business and education programs. The university has 62 undergraduate majors, 64 undergraduate minors, and 14 graduate programs. He is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the web at highpoint.edu.
