Pi Kappa Phi is the only national fraternity that has founded its very own philanthropy. Push America is our philanthropy serving people with disabilities. All the fundraising is done by Pi Kapps and all the work is done by Pi Kapps.

As a chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, we strive to meet great expectations in three areas: Awareness, Fundraising, and Volunteerism.

Check out Push America online at www.pushamerica.org. Here's our chapter page.

 

On Campus at the University of Illinois

In Fall of 2007 and Fall 2008, Pi Kapps camped out on the main quad 24 hours a day until they met their goal of raising for Push America ($5000 in 2007, $7000 in 2008). Through rain and shine, sleep and no sleep, the Pi Kapps met their goals in under a week each year. Local news channels and newspapers have taken notice of the efforts.

In Spring 2008, the major Pi Kappa Phi philanthropy event was a charity poker game which raised money for Push America.

Journey of Hope

Each summer three teams of 35 Pi Kapps ride bikes over different routes from San Francisco to Washington DC. Each rider raises $5,000 to take part in the 63 day / 4,000 mile journey. Along the way, they visit with the kids they are raising money to help.

The true impact of the Journey of Hope can be felt through its programming across the nation. From friendship visits to advocacy presentations to Kids on the Block puppet shows, the Journey of Hope works to highlight the local efforts that are made on behalf of people with disabilities. It also teaches college men the value of giving selflessly to others. 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 for hours at a friendship visit with a local group that serves people with disabilities. They will be participating in a game of wheelchair basketball. They will be performing puppet shows to children. They will be learning life lessons that will impact them for the rest of their lives

In Summer 2005, one Upsilon undergraduate and one Alumni are on the Northern route together: Nick Stoczanyn and Dan French.

Gear Up Florida

Gear Up Florida is another Push America event that raises money and awareness for people with disabilities, while giving the participants the memory of a lifetime. Early each summer, a team of Pi Kapps raises over $80,000 and bicycles 800 miles through the state of Florida. Throughout the two week trek, the Pi Kapps may stops to have friendship visits, put on puppet shows, and participate in other special events. Illinois Pi Kapp Alex Stezskal rode on the 2008 team. Check out more at: http://pushamerica.org/events/guf/index.cfm

Give-A-Push Weekends (GAP)

Each year, Push America plans several weekends at camps for kids with disabilities accross America. At these camps, Pi Kapps will build things such as handicap accesible tree houses, bridges, fishing docks, and pathways. The idea is to make the outdoors more accesible. At these camps, brothers also interect with the kids they are there helping at dances, baseball games, and any form of fun.

Push Camp

For Push Camp events, Pi Kapps from across the nation gather to work together over Spring Break. Renovations and labor projects at camps will benefit people with disabilities for years to come.