Push America
Encyclopedia
Push America is a 501(3) non-profit organization
, founded in 1977 through Pi Kappa Phi
as a way for undergraduate fraternity brothers to experience leadership development through service of people with disabilities. Originally titled PUSH America, Push was originally an acronym for Play Units for the Severely Handicapped then it was changed to People Understanding the Severely Handicapped. Now Push America is not an acronym.
, met with leaders in Pi Kappa Phi, with an idea to use the fraternity's undergraduate members for volunteer assistance. Thomas Sayre, a brother of the fraternity, had designed a therapeutic play unit for children with severe disabilities, and collaborated with Owen to form such a philanthropic initiative.
Push America was founded in 1977 as a non-profit organization, and remains the exclusive philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi, designed to instill lifelong service in its fraternity members, serving people with disabilities.
The current CEO of Push America is Chad Coltrane.
In 1987, a young Pi Kappa Phi alumnus named Bruce Rogers (Chi) cycled across the country in an effort to bring more attention to the mission of Push America. Inspired by his inaugural trip, a 21-person team led by Jim Karlovec began the Journey of Hope in 1988. Every summer since, members of Pi Kappa Phi have cycled from San Francisco, CA to Washington, DC while delivering a message of understanding.
There are now three routes on the Journey of Hope: North, South, and Trans America. All three of the routes finish in Washington, DC. The North and South routes both leave from San Francisco, CA while the Trans America route departs from Seattle, WA.
A two week cycling trip called Gear Up Florida, began in 1997. Like Journey of Hope, a team of cyclists travel, but on a smaller scale within the state, to promote the message of Push America. Gear-Up Florida starts in Miami and finishes in Florida's Capital, Tallahassee.
Push America's construction effort was begun in 1989, when the first Give-A-Push Weekend was held at Holy Angels in Charlotte, North Carolina
. Now undergraduates from all over the country have the opportunity to attend one of these two-day projects, where they work together to construct accessible amenities for facilities serving people with disabilities. April 1, 2007 will conclude the 100th Give-A-Push Weekend in Glenwood, Florida.
In 1991, the first week-long construction project entitled Push Camp, was held at the Clemson Outdoor Lab in Clemson, SC. Today, Pi Kappa Phi members forgo the traditional college spring break experience to attend this week of service, brotherhood and fun.
The third construction project, AccessABILITY, was introduced in 1994 and is designed to allow undergraduates and alumni to participate in a local service project that makes homes accessible through the construction of wheelchair ramps.
In 2003, the inaugural Build America took members to six camps in six weeks to build accessible amenities and interact with campers for a summer of service.
The Push America Challenge offer individuals the opportunity to challenge themselves in endurance events while raising vital funds for the programs of Push America.
Voice: 704.504.2400
Fax: 704.504.0880
Mailing Address:
PO Box 241368
Charlotte, NC 28224
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
, founded in 1977 through Pi Kappa Phi
Pi Kappa Phi
Pi Kappa Phi is an American social fraternity. It was founded by Andrew Alexander Kroeg, Jr., Lawrence Harry Mixson, and Simon Fogarty, Jr. on December 10, 1904 at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina...
as a way for undergraduate fraternity brothers to experience leadership development through service of people with disabilities. Originally titled PUSH America, Push was originally an acronym for Play Units for the Severely Handicapped then it was changed to People Understanding the Severely Handicapped. Now Push America is not an acronym.
History
In 1976, Durward Owen, then Executive Director of Pi Kappa PhiPi Kappa Phi
Pi Kappa Phi is an American social fraternity. It was founded by Andrew Alexander Kroeg, Jr., Lawrence Harry Mixson, and Simon Fogarty, Jr. on December 10, 1904 at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina...
, met with leaders in Pi Kappa Phi, with an idea to use the fraternity's undergraduate members for volunteer assistance. Thomas Sayre, a brother of the fraternity, had designed a therapeutic play unit for children with severe disabilities, and collaborated with Owen to form such a philanthropic initiative.
Push America was founded in 1977 as a non-profit organization, and remains the exclusive philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi, designed to instill lifelong service in its fraternity members, serving people with disabilities.
Three Areas of Focus
Push America's organization is based on three central areas of focus:- Disability Awareness
- Fundraising
- Volunteerism
Disability Awareness
Since 1977, Push America has developed programming for Pi Kappa Phi undergraduates and alumni, evolving ideas into nationally recognized projects that work collectively to promote a greater understanding of people with disabilities.Present Day
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Push America is currently a Better Business Bureau accredited charity.The current CEO of Push America is Chad Coltrane.
Journey of Hope
In 1987, a young Pi Kappa Phi alumnus named Bruce Rogers (Chi) cycled across the country in an effort to bring more attention to the mission of Push America. Inspired by his inaugural trip, a 21-person team led by Jim Karlovec began the Journey of Hope in 1988. Every summer since, members of Pi Kappa Phi have cycled from San Francisco, CA to Washington, DC while delivering a message of understanding.
There are now three routes on the Journey of Hope: North, South, and Trans America. All three of the routes finish in Washington, DC. The North and South routes both leave from San Francisco, CA while the Trans America route departs from Seattle, WA.
Gear-Up Florida
A two week cycling trip called Gear Up Florida, began in 1997. Like Journey of Hope, a team of cyclists travel, but on a smaller scale within the state, to promote the message of Push America. Gear-Up Florida starts in Miami and finishes in Florida's Capital, Tallahassee.
Give-A-Push Weekend
Push America's construction effort was begun in 1989, when the first Give-A-Push Weekend was held at Holy Angels in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. Now undergraduates from all over the country have the opportunity to attend one of these two-day projects, where they work together to construct accessible amenities for facilities serving people with disabilities. April 1, 2007 will conclude the 100th Give-A-Push Weekend in Glenwood, Florida.
Push Camp
In 1991, the first week-long construction project entitled Push Camp, was held at the Clemson Outdoor Lab in Clemson, SC. Today, Pi Kappa Phi members forgo the traditional college spring break experience to attend this week of service, brotherhood and fun.
AccessABILITY
The third construction project, AccessABILITY, was introduced in 1994 and is designed to allow undergraduates and alumni to participate in a local service project that makes homes accessible through the construction of wheelchair ramps.
Build America
In 2003, the inaugural Build America took members to six camps in six weeks to build accessible amenities and interact with campers for a summer of service.
Push Challenge
The Push America Challenge offer individuals the opportunity to challenge themselves in endurance events while raising vital funds for the programs of Push America.
Fundraising
Members of Pi Kappa Phi have raised millions of dollars for the projects and programs of Push America, providing support for millions of man hours dedicated to the renovation of facilities to serve people with disabilities across the country. Many types of creative fund-raisers have been designed to help fraternity men understand the philosophy of fund-raising. An example is the 5 P's of fund-raising created by Mike Rothschild in 1988.Volunteerism
Undergraduate chapters across the country have and continue to establish volunteer relationships with local facilities that serve people with disabilities in conjunction with fund-raising on campus and in their local communities for the projects and programs of Push America.Awards received
Push America has received the following awards for its efforts:- President George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. BushGeorge Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
's Points of LightPoints of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National NetworkThe Points of Light Institute is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in the United States of America dedicated to engaging more people and resources in solving serious social problems...
award (1992) - NICNIC- Banking and insurance companies:* National Insurance Company Limited, India.* National Insurance Company, Pakistan.* National Insurance Corporation, Kenya.* National Insurance Corporation, Tanzania.* National Insurance Corporation, Uganda....
Laurel Wreath Award (1994) - Holy Angels Volunteers of the Year (1995)
- Easter SealsEaster Seals (US)Easter Seals is a nonprofit charitable organization that assists more than one million children and adults with autism and other disabilities and special needs annually through a network of more than 550 service sites in the United States, Canada, Australia and Puerto Rico...
Connecticut Mobility Award (2000) - Associations Advance America Award of Excellence (Journey of Hope 2000)
- Associations Advance America Honor Roll (Gear Up Florida 2000)
- NIC Laurel Wreath Award, on behalf of Todd J. Porterfield and Jason R. Tirado (2000)
- Easter Seals Wisconsin's Outstanding Service Group (2005)
Contact Information
Phone Numbers:Voice: 704.504.2400
Fax: 704.504.0880
Mailing Address:
PO Box 241368
Charlotte, NC 28224
External links
- Push America website
- Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity