Fundraiser for Brother Jeff Junkins

June 20, 2008
Lloyd Woosley

KΣ Brothers,

One of ΛE's Charter Brothers, Richard "Jeff" Junkins is having a difficult time and needs our assistance.

Background

Brother Junkins was a founding member and officer of one of two local fraternities at UCF (formerly FTU) that merged to form the KΣ colony at FTU. He was instrumental in negotiating the merger of the local fraternities and was very proud and honored to be a member of the first nationally chartered fraternity at FTU. Brother Junkins graduated from FTU in 1973 with honors earning a B.A. in History (pre-law). He was well into his legal education at UF, when Brother Junkins decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Latin American History. He research interest was Costa Rican history and was awarded a fellowship.  While doing on-site research, he fell in love with the people and the country. Brother Junkins decided to stay in Costa Rica, became fluent in Spanish, was a successful plantation manager and owner, and later married a young lady from that country. But, not long after her passing, Brother Junkins was found lying in the streets of his adopted country having suffered a stroke.

The U.S. Embassy arranged for his transportation back to the U.S. where he spent three months in Florida Hospital in Orlando. The damage to Brother Junkins' brain had affected his memory.  Consequently, he is unable to recall the events leading up to and after having the stroke. Having neither assets nor family willing to care for our brother, Social Services arranged for Medicaid support and placed Brother Junkins in an assisted living facility in south Orlando, where he has been living for the past several years.

Only recently have Brother Junkins' friends and brothers learned about his situation. Fortunately, he is able to recall some of events during the early days of ΛE and remember many of his brothers and little sisters (Stardusters) from decades ago. Brother Junkins keeps a detailed diary, writing down names of old friends and brothers, and events from his past so he can refer back to those notes.

What can we do?

The State of Florida is providing for Brother Junkins' care. After inquiries to Social Services by fellow Charter Brother, FL Sen. Lee Constantine, Brother Junkins received some limited physical therapy and a walker more suited to his weight and height.  Several of his friends and brothers have and continue to donate money and/or visit him periodically taking much needed new clothing and other personal care items. He loves to read and watch movies, so his friends and brothers bring or mail him books, newspapers, and DVDs. What Brother Junkins needs in addition to continued medical attention and our visits and gifts is dental care. His teeth have been neglected for years and without significant dental work, he may lose his teeth. A dentist has expressed willingness to provide discounted dental services.  If you would like to contribute towards Brother Junkins' dental care, please send your contributions to:

Kappa Sigma Alumni Association of Central Florida
Brothers-in-Need Fund
PO Box 781073
Orlando, FL 32878-1073

Checks should be made out to the Kappa Sigma Alumni Association of Central Florida with "Brothers-in-Need Fund" on the check's comment line.

Please note that at this time, we are not able to accept tax-deductible donations. We are researching the possibility of enabling this in the future, but for now, you cannot claim donations to the KSAACF as tax-deductible.

Additionally, the Kappa Sigma Alumni Associaion of Central Florida is accepting donations securly via PayPal. If you would like to donate, click the button below. You do not need to create a PayPal account to donate.

If you would like to visit our brother or send him a personal item, Brother Junkins resides at the following address:

Almark Center
4502 Almark Drive
Orlando, FL 32839-1330

He can be reached at (407) 816-2019.

AEKΔB