(Operation APA on Facebook)

By Justin Goulet

U of L fraternity launches new positivity movement

Dec 30, 2020 | 11:38 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A fraternity at the University of Lethbridge is promoting positivity going into 2021.

Kappa Sigma member Marshall Weinberger has co-created Operation APA, along with Dave Sagal, and is launching a new project starting next month and lasting through to the end of March.

Mission Fresh Start takes over for the fraternity’s head-shave program, which they usually do every year as a fundraiser for cancer research. Weinberger said they wanted to rebrand into something different going into the new year.

“This movement is aiming to fill the void of positivity that was left in the past year and we’re working together with other local and small businesses to create a grassroots beginning for an army of positive authentic influence that is focused on creating awareness around mental health, human rights, individuals with adaptive needs and so much more,” Weinberger told LNN.

Mission Fresh Start will raise funds for Rocky Mountain Adaptive.

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The Canmore-based registered charity aims to make mountain sports accessible to those with disabilities, and who have suffered serious injuries such as brain trauma.

“One of our alumni from the fraternity [Sagal] got into a big accident with an avalanche and ended up being thrown off a cliff by it and was actually paralyzed from the waist down,” Weinberger explained.

“He reached out to the fraternity for a little bit of help to spread some awareness for Rocky Mountain Adaptive. We decided, because this is right around the time [that] we normally start the head shave, that this would be the perfect time to help out one of our own as well as spread the word for a good cause.”

The goal is to raise $55,000 for Rocky Mountain Adaptive.

People interested in helping can drop off their empty bottles at the west Lethbridge depot (872 Heritage Blvd. W) from January to March and notify a staff member that the recyclables are being donated for Kappa Sigma.

Donations can also be made online through Rocky Mountain Adaptive’s website.

Weinberger hopes this initial campaign can help get Operation APA off the ground and lead to more initiatives going forward. Additionally, he hopes Mission Fresh Start can bring attention to the community work of fraternities.

“We’re trying to raise awareness for Greek organizations in all of Alberta because we are working with organizations in Edmonton as well,” Weinberger told LNN.

“We’re looking to kind of shed a new light on them because their stereotypes are not all that amazing, so [we’re] trying to really show more [of] a true representation of them.”

Those wanting to spread the word about the campaign can do so by following and sharing social media posts on Operation APA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.