Eastern Michigan University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corp teamed up with Buffalo Wild Wings to host a fundraiser for its Military Ball on Thursday afternoon at the Ypsilanti restaurant.
“The reason for our fundraising events is to actually raise funds for different events that we have going on throughout the semester,” Company Commander Inrico Sims said. “It’s a way for us to get out and fellowship, if you would.”
Cadet Jonathan Kushner said ROTC at EMU is a great community and the goal of the program is to train and create young officers for the United States Army.
He said the fundraiser will also support upcoming training events like summer camps that some of the cadets participate in. He said this past semester EMU’s ROTC went to Fort Custer for leadership training and fundraisers.
Mark Serra, director of marketing at Buffalo Wild Wings, said the Fundraiser Program is to give groups like ROTC a format where they can come in and raise money for their organizations.
“It’s a charitable gift but in a lot of ways it’s kind of an award for advertising,” he said. “It’s this mutual beneficial relationship where we give these groups this opportunity, they bring business and we award them for it. Then it comes by way of 20 percent return on sales that you bring into the restaurant. People bring in their flyer and 20 percent of their bill will go back in form of a donation from us.”
Serra said Buffalo Wild Wings tries to make it a streamline process to make it an easier way for groups to raise money.
Cadet Tom Barlow echoed Kushner’s feeling of community reiterated the ROTC program’s worth to the campus and community.
“I’ve always wanted to serve,” he said. “I’ve always felt it a duty. I’m proud to do it and I’m proud to be here.”
Battalion Commander Stephanie Williams said there wasn’t a set goal for the fundraiser.
“Whatever helps,” she said. “We’re open to anything. So whoever can come out and participate, it’s actually a comradery thing as well. We come out and support each other and eat food together. So, it’s actually team building as well.”
Barlow said that anyone who wants to join ROTC doesn’t have to commission so anybody is welcome to join whether it’s to get into shape or learn something new about how to be a leader.
“It’s a course where you develop different skills to become a leader,” Williams said. “You develop in different areas that can help you in other areas in life. ROTC at Eastern has a lot to offer.”
