(Photo courtesy of Chris Dourov)
Beer pong, keg stands and overall rowdiness are the stereotypical view of the majority of Greek life on university campuses, but Pi Kappa Phi is trying to change that through working with The Ability Experience, formerly known as PUSH America, to help people with disabilities.
The philanthropy is run and operated by Pi Kappa Phi, the only Greek organization in the country that runs its own philanthropic effort.
Ben Hook, Pi Kappa Phi president, said the purpose of The Ability Experience is to raise awareness for disabled people and make sure they are recognized by their abilities and not their disabilities.
“The Ability Experience is owned by Pi Kappa Phi, so it’s quite literally a philanthropy that is part of our fraternity and not an organization that we donate to,” Hook said.
One of the ways the fraternity raises money for The Ability Experience is by holding an annual bike-a-thon on Hayden Lawn.
“What we do specifically is we hold a bike-a-thon in the spring, which is basically where we get six stationary bikes and it is a 48-hour stationary bike marathon where the pedals never stop moving,” he said. “So we are keeping the pedals moving and never stop for 48 hours to show our solidarity in that people with disabilities have to deal with adversity nonstop all the time.”
The inclusion of disabled people during the bike-a-thon is an important part in raising awareness for the philanthropy and those who may suffer from disabilities themselves, Hook said.
“Many chapters have brought in hand bikes for people to use if they can’t pedal and just having people their to talk and speak out about disabled people’s issues is very important in helping raise awareness,” he said.
Along with the annual bike-a-thon Pi Kappa Phi also participates in the Best Buddies program and Journey of Hope, which is a cross-country bike ride to raise money for The Ability Experience.
Raising money for the philanthropy is the most important part of participating in these activities but the philanthropy itself also helps the fraternity recruit new members, Hook said.
“I would say it’s our biggest selling point to new members, because it is incredibly important to all of us who are in the fraternity to give back through The Ability Experience,” he said.
Pi Kappa Phi member Sam Margolis said the fraternity having its own philanthropy makes the members more passionate in wanting to help.
“Having our own philanthropy was a big part of what made the guys stand out when I was first introduced,” he said.
