The Alpha Alpha brothers are extremely concerned with the focus of Push America. Historically, our brothers are consistent givers, both in money and in time, to the goals of Push America. For the past 3 years, we have sent at least one brother to one or more of the cycling events that Push America offers. We hold scaffold sits, empathy training sessions, our annual Push America Softball Tournament (nearing its 14th year), a newly founded Push Tennis Tournament, and the annual "No Boundaries Week"- an entire week devoted to furthering the goals of Push America on Mercer's campus.

Journey of Hope

For the past 3 years, we have had at least one brother from Alpha Alpha participate in this cross-country cycling event. Each of the potential cyclists (all Pi Kappa Phi's from across the nation) must be selected by the Push America selection committee. Each cyclist is then required to raise $4,000 individually on behalf of Push America. Each cyclist then makes his own way to San Francisco and then embarks on a life-changing journey. The cyclists ride over 3,500 miles in a two-month period on their way to the Capitol steps in Washington, D.C. Along the way, cyclists stop in cities and towns to visit people with disabilities, also educating citizens about awareness for these very special people. 

Past participants of the Journey of Hope from Alpha Alpha include:

• 1998: John Jennings - South Route (AA518)
• 1999: Mike Voynich - North Route (AA581)
• 2000: Eric "Bambi" McCoy - North Route (AA591)

Gear Up Florida

In 2000, Alpha Alpha sent its first brothers to participate in Push America's newest cycling event, Gear Up Florida. Gear Up Florida has the same general format as the Journey of Hope, only cyclists raise $1500 for Push America and begin in Miami, trekking to Tallahassee in a 12 day journey. 

Participants in Gear Up Florida from Alpha Alpha include:

• 2000: Michael Haisten (AA577)
• 2000: Josh Carroll (AA597)

If you are interested in making a donation to an up-and-coming cyclist's efforts or to our chapter's Push America goal, please contact our Push America chairman, Joel Clark.