The Journey of Hope team will be arriving in Roanoke on Sunday, August 6 for a visit with Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke and First Evangelical Presbyterian Church. This two-night stop comes after a 35-mile ride from Blacksburg, the 61st and 62nd days of a 4,370-mile cycling event across the country.
This group of 30 cyclists and eight crew members is one of three Journey of Hope teams that will directly enhance the lives of thousands of people with disabilities through grant funding and community engagement.
The team will have an arrival ceremony and barbecue at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 12:30 p.m. The team will also meet with Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke later that day at 5 p.m. where they will have Dinner and a Friendship Visit at the Mill Mountain Zoo.
The Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke is made up of families, friends, professionals, and individuals with Down syndrome in Southwestern Virginia. Time spent with organizations like First Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke is one of the most impactful parts of the trip and helps break barriers and highlight the abilities of all people.
The Journey of Hope team consists of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity men from across the country. The team will cycle an average of 75 miles per day ending at the National Capitol on August 12. Every cyclist commits to raising a minimum of $5,500 on behalf of people with disabilities in hopes to enhance their quality of life.
The mission of The Ability Experience is to use shared experiences to support people with disabilities and develop the men of Pi Kappa Phi into servant leaders. The Ability Experience organizes Journey of Hope and two other large service projects each summer, and is the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi.
Founded in 1977, the Ability Experience is committed to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Combined with corporate sponsorships, the 2017 Journey of Hope will raise more than $650,000 for people with disabilities across the nation. The Ability Experience has raised over $15 million in its 40-year history.
