Pedaling for a cause

    Two bikes, two days and two-thousand dollars. They say good things come in pairs, but the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi never imagined such success.
    Pi Kappa Phi hosted its first fund-raising event last week and raised nearly $2,900. Fraternity brothers and pledges of Pi Kappa Phi cycled  on the lawn of the A&S courtyard for 36 consecutive hours to collect donations for Pedal for Push, an event held by the local chapter to fund its national philanthropy, Push America.
    Push America began in 1977 and has since increased funds and awareness for treatment of the mentally disabled.
    “Anything we do charity wise is for Push America,” said Alex Beck, Pi Kappa Phi vice president. “They’re our national philanthropy. We want to raise awareness for people with disabilities and raise money for Push America by collecting donations.”
    Push America has experienced great success through its mission project, Journey of Hope, where cyclists stop to perform service acts across the country. Through Pedal for Push the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi are “expanding their charitable horizons and increasing volunteer assistance.”
    This is the first time Pedal for Push has been held on the GCSU campus.
    The fraternity members pedaled on two stationary bikes, working in shifts to ensure one member was pedaling at all times.
    “We even had two guys riding throughout the night just to keep warm,” said Beck, who had his fair share of cycling throughout the event.
    The cyclists gathered donations from friends who largely contributed to the event’s financial success.
    “We even had one guy raise $130,” said Paul Sedor, assistant director of The GIVE Center and the fraternity’s on-campus adviser.
    To encourage participation, the brothers held a raffle for a flat-screen TV and a gift card to Little Tokyo.
    Beck received a grant through the Inspire by Example program, initiated by The GIVE Center’s director, Kendall Stiles.
    This program awards student organizations up to $100 for event start-up costs. Beck applied for the grant early last semester and the fraternity will receive the funds after a project completion report has been submitted.
    With the help of The GIVE Center, Pi Kappa Phi is “utilizing our campus resources” says Sedor. “It’s a good thing to see.”
    Pi Kappa Phi received the first of three grants given this year. Sedor encourages other organizations to seek out grants and other assistance from The GIVE Center. To receive information and to apply for a grant, see Paul Sedor or Kendall Stiles at The GIVE Center.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 15 2008. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry