Remember the fraternity brothers pushing a wheelchair aroundcampus a couple of weeks ago? They are still trying to raise moneyfor their philanthropy project, but they are also working ondeconstructing a stereotype, as they put it.
The University of Memphis Pi Kappa Phi chapter is sending threeof its members on a bicycle ride across the United States to raisemoney and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities.
Jeff Perlman, a senior education major, has been a member of thefraternity for five years. He is riding in Push America's 2003Journey of Hope, the 4,000-mile bike tour that begins June 8 on theWest Coast and ends in Washington, D. C., Aug. 17.
"We ride an average of 75 miles a day and stop at cities wherewe work with the local facility for a day and sometimes two days inthe larger cities," said Perlman, who received the Russell M.Wiener Philanthropy Award for the greatest effort of a Greekindividual in philanthropy at The U of M.
Perlman said working with disabled people has twoadvantages.
"A lot of times we say that it is the smiles we put on theirfaces, and it is, but it's also the smiles they put on our faces,"Perlman said. "Life is really simple when you forget about all thelittle things. Working with disabled people makes you re-think alot of things."
The other two Pi Kappa Phi members taking on the challenge arePatrick Newport, a freshman at The U of M, and Ryan Smith, also afreshman, majoring in exercise science.
"I am very excited," said Smith, who worked with disabled peoplethroughout high school. "Some of the training has been kind ofhard, but hopefully we'll be ready."
The three future cyclists have been training since January,Perlman said.
Push America is a non-profit organization created, owned and runby Pi Kappa Phi fraternity since 1977. Designing a therapeutic playunit for children with disabilities evolved into serving peoplewith disabilities, which became the exclusive service learningproject of the fraternity.
The first Journey of Hope took place in 1987, when Pi Kappa Phialumnus Bruce Rogers embarked on a journey of cycling across theUnited States in an effort to bring more attention to PushAmerica's mission. This year, three groups of fraternity members, atotal of 85 cyclists and a host of support crew members, will startout from the West Coast on three routes: the Anniversary routebeginning in Portland, Ore., and the North and South routes, bothbeginning in San Francisco.
Push America also presents other projects focusing on helpingthose with disabilities, including Build America, which makes campsmore accessible to people with disabilities; Give-a-Push Weekends,which give fraternity members a chance to serve as leaders byworking for two days to provide a facility with new or refurbishedadaptive equipment; Push Camp, an alternative spring break programthat works to renovate camps and construct amenities that willenhance the summer camp experiences of disabled people; andAccessABILITY, a program designed to construct wheelchair ramps forpeople in lower income homes.
At the cities where they will stop on the Journey of Hope, thecyclists and their support crew members will provide entertainmentin the form of puppet shows and dances for the local facilityserving the disabled. They will also accept donations on theircross-country trip.
Last year, according to Perlman, Journey of Hope raised over$350,000 and reached over 48 million people.
"This year our goal is to raise $400,000," said Perlman. "Herein Memphis we work a lot with the Madonna Learning Center, whichhelps disabled Memphians."
Each participant must raise $5,000 for Push America before thedeparture date in June, and the funds must be raised separatelyfrom the fundraising efforts of the fraternity chapters. That meansPerlman, Smith and Newport will have raised $15,000 to ride acrossAmerica for about 10 weeks.
"I have sent out about 200 letters to friends and family andhave raised about $3,500 so far," Perlman said.
Smith said he has raised almost $2,000.
Newport could not be contacted Thursday.
The three must earn the rest of the $5,000 before they leave,and they are actively seeking donations. Anyone who wishes to senddonations can call Jeff Perlman at 277-7102, who represents allthree members participating.
Courtesy Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
