Beta Omicron active members Lane Luckie and Cody Bourque along with associate member Jake Horaist participated in one of Push America’s Give-A-Push weekends on April 13-15 in Atlanta, Georgia. They drove 10-hours to help enABLE, a non-profit organization that provides services to those with disabilities. Representatives from four Pi Kapp chapters across the region worked together to construct a wheelchair ramp canopy and paint the interior walls of the facility. The participants were split up to work on the separate projects. After completing work, the Pi Kapps were treated to a barbeque dinner and a hosted a “Friendship Visit.”
A “Friendship Visit” is the opportunity for the Pi Kapp volunteers to interact directly with those that they are helping. They are able to experience the amazing qualities each individual person with disabilities offers. Associate member Jake Horaist stressed the importance of understanding that having a disability only means that one has to work a little harder than an able-body person. “It’s pretty awkward at the beginning but once everyone becomes more comfortable you start to interact with the people and you remember to be yourself. It’s defiantly an experience I’ll never forget,” said Horaist.
Push America also presented the enABLE organization with a $5,000 dollar check prior to the dance. Beta Omicron plans to have many more participants in these events over the coming semesters and encourages all members to be actively involved in Push America events both nationally and locally. For more information about Give-A-Push Weekends or any of the other programs Push America offers, visit www.pushamerica.org.