Philanthropy
PUSH America
Pi Kappa Phi is the only national fraternity that has founded its own philanthropy. Push America is our philanthropy serving people with disabilities. All the fundraising and work is done by Pi Kapps and friends.
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
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PUSH America Fundraising and Volunteerism
On Campus at the University of Illinois
Since the Fall of 2007, Pi Kapps camped out on the main quad 24 hours a day until they met their goal of raising over $5000 annually for Push America. 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.
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
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 stop to have friendship visits, put on puppet shows, and participate in other special events.
Give-A-Push Weekends (GAP)
Each year, Push America plans several weekends at camps for kids with disabilities across America. At these camps, Pi Kapps will build things such as handicap accessible tree houses, bridges, fishing docks, and pathways. The idea is to make the outdoors more accessible. At these camps, brothers also interact with the kids they are there helping at dances, baseball games, and any form of fun.
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.
PI ALPHAS of Upsilon Chapter
Pi Alphas are distinguished members of the fraternity that have participated in Gear Up Florida, PUSH America, or Build America. The following men have been received into the Pi Alpha group:
Journey of Hope
Mike Scott 1991
Eric Vandergraaf 1991
Jeffrey Barnes 1994
Chris Hinrichs 1994
Chris Gena 1996
Rob Layton 1998
Michael Nicketta 1999
Dan French 2005
Nick Stoczanyn 2005
Tommy Carrato 2010
Alex Stezskal 2010
Jay Chae 2011
Chris Deamont 2012
Gear Up Florida
Alex Stezskal 2008
Mike Yam 2010
Build America
Dan French 2005
