Crossing the country on a 'Journey of Hope'


John McCall

May 3, 2010

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor

SPRINGFIELD - It takes a little more than five hours by car to travel from Springfield to Rochester, N.Y., where Cathedral alum John McCall is currently attending college. It will take McCall 64 days to travel from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. by bicycle.

McCall, 20, is a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and this summer, he will be joining 81 of his brothers on the Journey of Hope, the premier event Push America organizes that brings together more than 100 communities and raises more than $500,000 on behalf of people with disabilities.

Push America was founded by Pi Kappa Phi in 1977 with the mission to build leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today. It was that spirit of leadership that drew McCall to the fraternity in the first place.

"There are a lot of Greek organizations out there, so I wanted to make sure I found the one that was right for me," McCall said. "The motto of Pi Kappa Phi is 'Leaders By Choice,' and they are very involved with community service. What the fraternity was doing continues what I did in high school, and we benefit organizations both locally and nationally."

A 2008 graduate of Cathedral, McCall said he spent a lot of time in high school volunteering with the Special Olympics and that helped him make a connection with Push America.

As a cross country runner, McCall hasn't spent much time pedaling a bicycle, but he's training now for his 3,900-mile cross country trek. And, while he's training, he's also gathering donations for Push America, which awards grants to organizations that aid disabled persons nationwide.

"As we bike across the country, we'll be stopping at ARCs [Area Resource Centers] and other community centers to give presentations and help out where we can," McCall explained. Before the group hits the road again, they'll also be giving $1,000 grants to each organization as well.

"When you can, you give back. It's what you do as a responsible person," McCall told Reminder Publications. He said working for groups like Push America help keep him level-headed and give him perspective.

"I want to use my time to do something good," he said.

McCall was volunteering at the ARC Glouster in New Jersey when he first heard about the Journey of Hope. He and a friend heard about the ride during a Push America presentation and his friend said he was interested in the ride.

"I thought, why not? It's an awesome opportunity," McCall said. And, since the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity was officially chartered at RIT last spring, he and his friend will be the first members of the chapter to participate in the Journey of Hope.

The core values of Push America are believing in the abilities of all people; recognizing that with teamwork, together, everyone achieves more; encouraging empathy, rather than sympathy, with those with disabilities; and realizing integrity, that through honesty and responsibility of work, the fraternity will continue to advance that mission.

"The more I've worked with the ARC, the more I've realized those with disabilities live amazing lives," McCall said.

While McCall has already reached his fundraising goal of $5,000, he said it was difficult to get there because of the economy and because helping those with disabilities isn't a cause that usually sees the spotlight.

"It's a good cause because the money is going to a tangible place," he said. "It's given to organizations lacking proper funding and those that don't get a lot of attention. They probably deserve a lot more funding and support than they actually get."

McCall will begin his bike ride in June. Those interested in donating to Push America through him are invited to call him at 648-7399, by e-mailing him at jmccallpushamerica@gmail.com or by texting PUSH196 to 50555 for a donation of $5, which will be added to the donor's cell phone bill.

For more information on the Journey of Hope or Push America, visit www.pushamerica.org.

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