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SH AMERIC www .pushamerica.org
time building and renovating amenities at summer camps for kids with disabilities, ensuring that these special children have the same summer camp experience as every other child. And the need for this work is still necessary. "Now, more than ever, we
How time does fly when you're having fun and making a difference in the life of people with disabilities. Just like those we serve, we've all become better people through Push America
BY MELANIE ZACHOW
SPUSH AMERICA celebrates 25 years of serving people 'th disabilities, we reflect on how public views have evolved over the years and how Push America has helped to continue that evolution while spreading a message of understanding nationwide. Thirty years ago there were few opportunities for people with disabilities, as they were deemed helpless and confined to institutions that provided little learning opportunity. "The public opinion held in those days was that people with disabilities, especially children, were unable to learn and lead 'normal' lives," says Regina Moody, President and CEO of Holy Angels, a private nonprofit corporation that provides innovative programs and services for its residents, children and adults with disabilities. Holy Angels also hosted the very first Give-A-Push Weekend. She continues, "It was one piece of crucial legislation passed in 1975 that was the turning point to recognizing that people with disabilities deserve the same public support as every other citizen." That was Public Law 94-142 that, in summary, assured that children with disabilities would receive public education that
need to expound upon and explore more creative ways to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. The financial and volunteer support provided by groups like Push America will allow us to do that," Moody concludes. In 2002, Push America commemorates 25 years of "Leadership Through Service" and the celebration will culminate this summer at the 48th Supreme Chapter in Washington, D.C. where we will join over 1,000 family, friends, fraternity brothers and alumni in welcoming the Journey of Hope team. We will also herald the amazing work Pi Kappa Phi and Push America have done on behalf of people with disabilities since 1977, and look to the future of how we will together continue in the tradition of serving others set so many years ago. !l
was designed for their special needs within the country's public school system. "That was when funding became available to explore innovative ways to engage people with disabilities in educational settings," Moody explains. "And when Push America came along in 1977 with the play unit, it was a great tool to allow children with disabilities to experience that aspect of a 'normal' childhood. Since then, great strides have been made to mainstream people with disabilities into society and Push America's projects and programs Melanie Zachow is the Director of Marketing for Push America. Y ou can ehave progressed in tandem." mail Melanie at mzacbow~QL!~b!.lmerica.or ,g. Push America's history is rooted in that therapeutic play unit designed by Thomas Sayre, Kappa (North Carolina), and the men of Pi Kappa Phi, initially led by Executive Director Durward Owen, have helped shape the last 25 years of service. In the past 12 years alone, almost 3million hours have been donated through Push Camps and Give-APush Weekends where BUILDING UPON TRADITION over 2,500 members spent [Top Right] Brothers from around the nation gather at Camp ASCA in
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Jackson's Gap, Alabama, to assemble a climbing tower that will make the challenge course zip line accessible to all campers. It is one of the many types of projects since the original play-units that began it all in 1977. [Above] The original play-unit design created by Push America founder, Thomas Sayre, Kappa (North Carolina) .
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