Fraternity helps collect donations for veterans with PTSD

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Steven James / Staff writer

Alpha Epsilon Pi members stood outside of Willis Library Monday to collect donations for Heroes to Heroes Foundation, an organization that supports veterans from the U.S. and Israel with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“This takes injured veterans on a spiritual journey they probably need,” Alpha Epsilon Pi president and kinesiology junior Zachary Beldon said.

The fraternity set up a table around 7:45 a.m. and asked people if they would like to make donations to the foundation. The fraternity was there until 5 p.m. and will be there again Tuesday to collect more donations. Beldon said the fraternity collected more than $800 the first day.

Heroes to Heroes gathers veterans from the U.S. military and sends them to Israel to visit holy sites and Israeli soldiers. The foundation supports veterans from all conflicts since the Vietnam War.

After joining, members are asked to commit one year to their healing process. Members are also asked to refrain from alcohol and recreational drugs while in the healing process.

Integrative studies junior and alumni chair Josh Kasoff helped collect donations.

“The point of the program isn’t to convert the soldiers, but to calm them and relax them,” Kasoff said. “It’s not just a support group where you go to talk about your feelings. This is a program where you talk to people who have might have similar problems as you.”

One of the students who donated was business freshman Holly Cooper.

“I really wish there were better programs for them, because they do serve our country,” Cooper said.

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