Cyclists gear up for Uniontown stop on charity trek
Some people ride bicycles for exercise, some for recreation, while others use bicycles to commute to work.
But for a team of about 35 fraternity brothers, bicycles are transportation for hope.
On Tuesday, one of three teams of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity will make a stop in Uniontown while participating in the Journey of Hope campaign.
In 1987, a man who dreamed of riding his bicycle across the country saw his dream come true. Unbeknownst to him, his dream put the gears in motion for one of the fundraisers and awareness events for PUSH America. In 1988, Journey of Hope was created.
Today, the 4,000-mile cycling event and fundraiser, sponsored by KRG Capital, raises $500,000 annually for people with physical disabilities.
A team of cyclists, who departed from San Francisco, Calif., will stop for dinner at the Uniontown Knights of Columbus on North Gallatin Avenue Extension at 5 p.m. to meet with people to share their mission and promote awareness for people with disabilities.
Following dinner, the team will spend the night at the Uniontown Area Y in South Union Township.
Throughout their journey, the team, which averages 75 miles a day, spends their afternoon with people with disabilities in various events and activities across the country.
The team also distributes grants to organizations who serve people with disabilities.
Journey of Hope and the young cyclists said it is their hope to break the barriers of society that keep people of all abilities from leading a fulfilling life.
Nick Jones, a junior at the University of Toledo studying economics, is a project manager for one of the cycling routes. Last year, Jones had the opportunity to experience the event as a cyclist. In 2010, Jones and the rest of the cycling crew stopped in Uniontown, where Jones was able to spend some quality time with his grandmother, Rose Marini of Filbert.
According to Jones’ biography on the Push America website, his experience with the event last year made an impact on his life.
“This trip is about the people. Almost every day we have a friendship visit (a visit with a group that helps people with disabilities.) These people only get one day for our group to make a lasting impression on them … and we do. On my trip, I heard story after story about how the Journey of Hope visit is one that is looked forward to year round,” he said.
Jones also explained he was looking forward to his new role as project manager.
“Journey of Hope is a great thing, and I am excited to be a project manager this summer,” he said.
After their visit to Uniontown, the team will continue their journey to Washington, D.C., where all three cycling teams, which cover three different regions, will culminate on Aug. 13.
For more information about the mission of Journey of Hope, or to track the progress of a cycling team, visit online at www.pushamerica.org.