On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Beta Tau Chapter at Mississippi State University presented U.S. Army Veteran Daniel Ricklefs with an all-terrain track wheelchair. The Chapter honored Ricklefs on the field during the University’s football game against the University of Arkansas.
Ricklefs enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1997, on his 17th birthday. Daniel continued to serve his country and prepared to deploy in 2004 when a combat training accident occurred. Ricklefs was injured during the accident when another vehicle crashed into him as he was exiting. Since then, he has undergone more than 40 surgeries with another scheduled soon to have his right leg amputated.
“Receiving a trackchair will be life-changing,” Ricklefs said. “The chair will renew my purpose as a man and father. It will be a lifesaving blessing.”
The Beta Tau Chapter raised more than $25,000 for The Independence Fund to procure and outfit the chair for Ricklefs. Starting in the spring of 2023, the chapter of more than 100 young men held various fundraising events like food nights, themed basket auctions during parents and alumni weekend, and an annual gun raffle.
This track chair marks the Chapter’s fourth presentation in the last five years to help a wounded veteran life a more normal life.
“The Mobility program is truly lifechanging for Veterans,” said Chief Operating Officer of The Independence Fund, Clark Pennington. “A trackchair can provide independence that boosts self-esteem and allows Veterans to participate in daily life more. The gentlemen of Kappa Alpha are some of the program’s biggest supporters. They help us ensure those waiting to receive a trackchair get one and are honored for their service at these presentations.”
In 2016, the Zeta Phi Chapter at High Point University partnered with The Independence Fund and began a student-led initiative aimed at raising money to provide Track Chairs for wounded veterans. To date, KA chapters across the nation have raised more than $1.2 million for The Independence Fund and have presented 28 all-terrain track wheelchairs to catastrophically wounded veterans.
