Journey of Hope - Cycling Across the US for People with Disabilities

Author: Journey of Hope
Published: 2010/07/22
Category Topic: Americas - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Davenport Welcomes Fraternity Men Cycling Across the Country for People with Disabilities.

Introduction

Main Content

The Journey of Hope is a cross-country bicycle trek that begins in both San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, and concludes with all three teams (North, South and TransAmerica) converging upon Washington, D.C. During their journey across the country, Davenport, Iowa has been scheduled as a stopping point for the cyclists. While in town, the team will eat, visit with local folks, and stay at the guest friendly Davenport, Iowa Clarion Hotel, located in the Quad Cities.

When your family and friends talk about 'hitting the road' this summer, the conversation will likely turn to discussions about leisurely, week-long vacation treks to some fun destination spot. These aspirations are a little less ambitious than how the men of Pi Kappa Phi define their summer road trip: Nine weeks long. Across the United States. On bikes. Excuse me? That's a vacation

If 'vacation' isn't the best way to define this cross-country event, The Journey of Hope, there are many other descriptors that are: Having a mission. Serving communities. Fulfilling dreams. Helping people with disabilities. The Journey of Hope is a cross-country bicycle trek that begins in both San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, and concludes with all three teams (North, South and TransAmerica) converging upon Washington, D.C. Covering 32 states, volunteers comprised solely of members of Pi Kappa Phi pedal their bikes across 12,000 miles, both raising funds and promoting awareness for people with disabilities. Each 35-member team takes a different cross-country route to raise more than $500,000 annually.

On a typical day, team members cover an average of 75 miles. At the end of their ride, however, their days are far from over: rather than catching up on sleep or preparing for the next day's ride, the remainder of the day is spent visiting local groups that support people with disabilities, participating in games of wheelchair basketball, performing puppet shows to educate children on the abilities of people with disabilities, and learning life lessons that will last the remainder of their lives. One such day will be Thursday, July 22, when a team of cyclists arrives in Davenport, roughly half way through their 4,000-mile long cross-country journey that started in mid-June and ends on August 14th. While in town, the team will lunch at Happy Joe's, have dinner and a Friendship Visit at Fejervary Park Pool (1800 12th Street) at 6:30 p.m., and then spend the night at the Davenport IA Clarion Hotel and Conference Center before hitting the road again on Friday morning.

"We really look forward to staying in hotels like the Clarion," commented Drayton Perkins, Project Manager of the Journey of Hope's North Route. "During these nine weeks our team rarely gets the chance to stay in hotels - maybe one night out of seven or eight - and we really appreciate that the Clarion has donated rooms for our cause again this year. Nothing is as amazing after a long bike ride as a warm shower and a cozy bed."

At stops across the country, the three Journey of Hope teams will distribute grants directly to assist organizations that serve people with disabilities, as well as spending time with new friends in Friendship Visits, usually events like dances or barbeques in which the entire community is invited and encouraged to participate.

Journey of Hope is a program of Push America, the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, which raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Push America was founded in 1977 with the hope of committing its members to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. Push America and Pi Kappa Phi have raised more than $13 million to date and continue to be on the cutting edge of the disability movement.

For more information about this event or more on Push America's summer programs, please contact Joey Haynes at (704) 504-2400 ext. 159 or at www.pushamerica.org.

To find out more information about Clarion's Quad Cities Hotel, please contact them at 563-391-1230 or by visiting them on the web at www.clarionhoteldav.com. The Clarion also provides space for Quad Cities Banquets and Quad Cities Wedding Receptions.