Operation Thrive is a charity and voluntary non-profit organization that was formed in Feb. 2011, and is dedicated to spreading awareness and raising money for local non-profit organizations.
The organization is currently trying to raise membership. James Hampson , junior in biological sciences and President of the organization, said that they are looking to partner with other smaller University organizations.
“To get our feet off the ground, we are looking to partner up with smaller NCSU organizations to help them fundraise and spread their own awareness” Hampson said.
Hampson said that Operation Thrive is a good organization because it reaches out to other organizations to come together and work to make things happen.
“What makes Operation Thrive unique is that instead of functioning as a normal organization that has our own members, Operation Thrive will function as more of an outreach group and will work with other organizations and their members. Operation Thrive, in a sense, serves as a liaison between those in need and those who want to help,” Hampson said.
There are four meetings per semester for Thrive. Students who are interested in joining the organization are encouraged to attend meetings, follow the group on Facebook and join the email list. It is free to join Operation Thrive.
“What we think is going to make Operation Thrive attractive to students is the fact that there are no member dues, we are not asking our members to pay to be apart of our organization, ” Hampson said.
The future meetings of operation thrive will be held on October 11, November 8 and November 29 from 7-8pm in Withers 120 aiming to give a brief overview of what it means to be affiliated with Operation Thrive and give detailed information of upcoming events.
Currently the organization is planning to raise funds by working on an event that involves skating at Jellybeans super skate center.
“We are currently in the process of planning our first fundraising event, ‘Skate 2 Thrive.’ We are still in the process of working out all of the kinks and logistical aspects of the event,” Hampson said.
The Manager of Jellybeans super skate center, Mr. Eddie Earp, said that they are proud to support Operation Thrive and will continue to support them.
“Operation Thrive is set up to support local charitable organizations that spread awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder, Breast Cancer, and a number of other types of cancers and diseases/disorders that affect people’s lives on a daily basis. Jellybeans Super Skate Center is honored to be associated with such a worthwhile cause,” Earp said.
Harrison Do, a senior in biological sciences and student senator for CALS , was present at one of the Thrive meetings. He said he is looking for ways to get appropriations for the organization and is glad that this initiative is being taken.
Students who attended said they would take this opportunity to do some community service and get more involved in campus organizations.
”It’s a good opportunity to help the community you get to get involved with those things which aren’t much in the limelight” Patrick Washington, a senior in mechanical engineering, said.
