Nick Stoczanyn, junior in business, will bike over 4,000 miles this summer from Portland, Ore., to Washington, D.C. He will be biking for Push America’s “Journey of Hope.”

Push America is Pi Kappa Phi’s national philanthropy and helps disabled people by building ramps and other amenities to make their lives easier.

Stoczanyn, a new member to the fraternity, feels Push America is a great way to give back to the community. One of the main reasons Stoczanyn joined Pi Kappa Phi was because of its involvement in Push America.

Before his bike ride, Stoczanyn will have to raise $5,000 for Push America. He has been working along with four other people to raise money. The team has been asking friends, families, businesses and the Greek community to help their cause.

Mark Peluse, senior in business and Pi Kappa Phi’s Push America chairman, organizes all Push events for the house. He feels Push programs are great because they get to see where the money they raise goes.

“These programs are important because they raise money and awareness at the same time,” Peluse said.

For Stoczanyn, he’s just grateful he’s found something he really believes in.

“This is the first time I’ve really been motivated to do something like this,” he said. Stoczanyn said alumni and Push representatives really inspired him to do the bike ride.

Rob Kelly, Push America’s Director of Team Services, has done the journey twice and says it was the best thing he’s ever done.

“It changed my life. It renews your faith in good people. When you give of yourself all summer it can’t help but change you,” Kelly said.

Stoczanyn hopes his journey will be an amazing experience for himself as well.

“I think I’ve made a fantastic decision,” Stoczanyn said.

Stoczanyn has been training for two months riding about 25 miles almost every day. On weekends he rides 30 to 35 miles with a friend.

“I’m so focused on getting myself ready for this event,” he said.

On his cross country trip Stoczanyn will ride approximately 65 miles each day at a 20 mile per hour pace. Most of the riding will be done in the early morning and during the day. The nights are dedicated to meeting and hanging out with the people Push America is dedicated to helping.

All the bikers will visit camps and centers to get the chance to interact with disabled people. Each night they will have events such as square dances, pool parties and t-ball.

“It’s a chance for us to interact with these people. These events give them the opportunity to do things they don’t get to do normally,” Stoczanyn said.

More than anything, Stoczanyn wants to help and impact these peoples’ lives.

“To put a smile on their face is just so rewarding, I just really enjoy making people happy.”

Stoczanyn can’t wait to personally be involved with the Journey of Hope project.

“I can’t do much more than sacrifice two and a half months to give back to the community, but it’s nothing compared to the sacrifices they make every day,” he said.