Journey of Hope: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Men Cycle Across Country for People with Disabilities

Online, June 21, 2011 (Newswire.com) - View this as an online SMR at http://pitch.pe/154344 .

-- The Journey of Hope is a program of Push America, the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, which raises money and awareness for people with disabilities. The three Journey of Hope teams (North, South, and Trans-America) consist of men from Pi Kappa Phi chapters across the country. The teams cycle an average of 75 miles per day, beginning in San Francisco and Seattle and ending in Washington, D.C. on August 13th.

A welcome ceremony will be held to celebrate the team's arrival as they enter our nation's capitol. Hundreds of family and friends will be there to welcome the cyclists. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

For the team, the real journey will not be on a bike, but spending time with the people for whom they are riding. The Journey of Hope team members will spend every afternoon with people with disabilities in many different community events and activities. These men are striving for community inclusion of people with disabilities and are helping to break the barriers of society that keep people of all abilities from living life to the fullest.

How it all began
In 1987, one man's dream of riding his bike across the country came true. What he did not know was the inspiration and motivation his trek across America would give to Push America. The very next year his ride inspired Push America to create the largest fraternal fundraising and awareness event of its kind, the Journey of Hope. Today the Journey of Hope covers 32 different states, cycling over 12,000 miles combined, it is solely comprised of members of Pi Kappa Phi and continues to spread a message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities.

The Journey of Hope reaches out to people through newspapers, radio and television, civic groups and community leaders, reaching millions of people annually and bringing to the forefront the abilities of people with disabilities. From the inaugural team of 21 team members raising $20,000, the team has since been expanded into three different routes of 35 Pi Kappa Phis and annually raises more than $500,000. One man's dream made it all possible.

The Journey of Hope is a cross-country bicycle trek beginning in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA and ending together with all teams in Washington, D.C. The event raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Simply put, the Journey of Hope is a ride with a purpose. Make no mistake; this is not a simple ride. The Journey of Hope is about many things. It is about challenging the norm. It is about serving our communities. It is about finding out more about ourselves than we ever imagined. It is about having a dream. It is about a mission. It is about hope.

The true impact of the Journey of Hope can be felt through its programming across the nation. After riding an average of 75 miles a day, you won't find team members napping preparing for the next day's ride. They will be dancing at a friendship visit with a local group that supports people with disabilities, participating in a game of wheelchair basketball, performing puppet shows to educate children on the abilities of people with disabilities, and learning life lessons that will impact them for the rest of their lives. This journey is service beyond self and the men of Pi Kappa Phi have been dedicated to people with disabilities since 1977.

For more information contact us at:

(704) 504-2400 or online at

PushAmerica.org
Twitter.com/pushamerica
Facebook.com/pushamerica
flickr.com/photos/pushamerica/

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