JORDAN PATTERSON
News Editor
Another trending challenge has reached Fredonia, this time in support of military veterans.
The fraternity Kappa Sigma, whose national philanthropy focuses on veterans, is hosting a “22 push up” challenge on Nov. 5 in Steele Hall. The theme of the challenge is centered around the 22 veterans that commit suicide every day, on average.
The trend originated in 2011 and had its popular culture appeal re-emerge into the mainstream when a study was published, proclaiming the phenomenon. The basic concept of the challenge now is to complete 22 push ups every day for 22 days.
Political science and international studies major and President of Kappa Sigma Nick Burdick said the main goal is to have people show up so that they can donate and show their support.
“The push ups are good to get awareness, but the money is what’s going to help [the veterans],” Burdick said.
This will be the first big event that the young fraternity will be hosting. They have done events before but not of this magnitude. On Oct. 27, Kappa Sigma aligned with Chipotle, where customers were encouraged to show a digital coupon that sent half of their proceeds to the frat, who would then donate the money.
The upcoming event will have a guest speaker, senior English and international studies major Zach Beaudoin, who is in the National Guard and a brother of Kappa Sigma, according to Burdick.
Another speaker is in the works but has yet to be confirmed.
“I believe this event is a great cause and hopefully, it continues after we do it and it becomes an annual thing here in Fredonia,” said junior business administration major Mark Monsegur.
The event will start at 3:15 p.m., and shortly after the speaker, there will be a designated time for people to participate in the “22 push up” challenge. The sequence will be recorded and uploaded to Facebook. Similar to other viral challenges, this one allows participants to challenge other people, in this case other chapters.
“For us, personally, we’re going to challenge another chapter at a different school,” Burdick said.
For Kappa Sigma, this challenge was selected because of its popularity but also because of its novelty.
“One, yeah, because it’s trending. Two, because for some of us, it’s something that not a lot of people are aware of,” Burdick said. “A lot of us weren’t aware of it before it was brought up, and I thought it was … a big number. 22 people a day is kind of crazy to me,” Burdick said.
According to Monsegur the event will be quick and shouldn’t last more than an hour, and there will be a table for donations.
“I expect a great turnout,” said Monsegur.