One man's dream of cycling across America has now become the largest Greek special event. In 1987, Bruce Rodgers, a Pi Kapp at Stetson University, decided he wanted to do something for his fraternity before attending law school at Duke University. Bruce took the challenge of riding his bike from Florence, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia as a fund-raiser and awareness event for PUSH America. Bruce's solo "Ride Across America" founded an idea which PUSH America transformed into multi-million dollar fund-raiser and awareness campaign.
Once Rodgers had started his journey, he knew there was no turning back.
Through all the mechanical difficulties and knee problems, he kept in mind the mission of his trek. People were often very touched by his undertaking and they often went out of their way to help him out. Today, more than 500 volunteers continue to support the Journey of Hope as the team passes through their community.
Bruce made the trip without any support or financial backing. In fact, he only raised $1,500 for PUSH during the summer. However, because of Bruce's efforts, PUSH America decided to officially organize the Journey of Hope in 1988. Routes were planned and a challenge was issued for men join the team. Eighteen brave Pi Kapps rose to the challenge and rode their bikes from San Diego to Washington, D.C., raising approximately $25,000 for PUSH America.
Since 1988, the Journey of Hope has grown in size. Increased participation has led to increased fund-raising and the creation of two teams, one taking a southern route and the other a northern path across America. Over the past six years the Journey of Hope has been supported by several large corporation. These corporate sponsors have meant increased revenues, publicity, and credibility.
Also, as the trip has grown many more special events have been added. Major
League Baseball games, "PUSH America Day" proclamations, and friendship visits have helped to spread the message of PUSH America.
As much as the Journey of Hope has grown since Rodgers' first continental crossing in 1987, the main theme of the project has stayed the same. His dream of riding a bicycle across America to raise awareness for people with disabilities is carried on with each Journey of Hope team.
-- This information courtesy of PUSH America
A related Journey of Hope Page can be found at http://www.bqnet.com/joh/
"People don't care how much you know unless they know how much you care!."
--Pat Idol, Wake Forest University