Push America, Pi Kappa Phi's National Charity

Pi Kappa Phi's "Push America" is a non-profit organization that was founded by members of Pi Kappa Phi in 1977. It is the exclusive service learning project of the fraternity, aiming to serve people with disabilities and instill lifelong service in all members of Pi Kappa Phi. Initially begun as a project to build therapeutic play units for children with disabilities (PUSH was once an acronym standing for "Play Units for the Severely Handicapped"), the organization has become synonymous with fundraising, service and awareness for people with any type or degree of disability.

Major programs include nationally recognized cycling events, empathy and awareness training sessions and construction projects that work to promote a greater understanding of people with disabilities. Members of Pi Kappa Phi (PiKapp) have raised nearly $8 million dollars in support of the projects and programs of Push America as well as donated thousands of man hours to renovate facilities that serve people with disabilities across the country. As PiKapp expands to new parts of the country, it brings with it the four-star Push America Philanthropy, dedicated to exceptional community service and action unparalleled in the Greek world. Push America's is committed to its mission of "Building leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today."

Push America's integrity to its mission is exemplified in every program. Push America programs were created to educate and provide a quality hands-on service experience for members of Pi Kappa Phi (PiKapp), while enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Push America has the future in mind as many members of Pi Kappa Phi go on to be leaders in our communities, states, and country. Pi Kappa Phi members are serving on city disability committees, disability task forces within their companies, many undergraduates are changing their majors to special education, and others are more socially aware of disability issues.

PiKapp's Charity at UMass Amherst

Since the conception of the Theta Mu chapter two years ago the chapter's efforts with Push America have enabled the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi help bring about a pervasive change in the public perception of both Greek life and the University of Massachusetts as a whole. In our chapter, Push America is an essential part of our fraternity experience. We believe that service to others is the best example of what words like "fraternity" and "brotherhood" are all about.

The brothers of Theta Mu have put on and participated in a variety of events to fundraise for Push America, the Special Olympics, and Stavros Center for Independent Living. Our biggest events have been our annual Smith Date Auction and the annual Push America Race. Through these two events and a charity raffle, the brothers of Theta Mu have successfully raised over $20,000 for people with disabilities.

With the proceeds from our past races, Push America has been able to fund the construction of 5 wheelchair ramps in and around the Amherst area. Theta Mu has also been able to raise over $7,500 for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts. And through our philanthropic partnership for 2008, we will again be able to give 25% of proceeds from our fundraising efforts directly the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.

Below are the links for our fundraising events this spring! We hope to see you there to help support people with disabilities. Your donations not only support disability services on a national level but you are also contributing to assist people with disabilities on a local level as well!