Jason Faulkner is finally putting to rest a regret he has carried around for the past 15 years. "When I was a sophomore in college, in 1995, I pledged for Pi Kappa Pi fraternity and learned about Push for America and its premier event -- Journey of Hope. The 35-year-old freelance editor, producer and videographer has done work with VAVS in Innsbrook, since 2004.
"One of my biggest regrets was not participating in this during college when I could have," Jason said recently. "I wasn't into cycling then and always just worked to make extra money during the summer."
This summer, Jason will embark on the 12,000 mile combined cycling trek, leaving San Francisco June 9 and arriving in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 14. Along the way, the 25-member team will stop in towns and cities for friendship visits. There are three different teams participating in cross-country rides.
"The whole purpose of the ride are the friendship visits," Jason said. "When we arrive in a town, we'll have a friendship visit with a local non-profit; we may take the kids bowling or out to lunch or go to a baseball game. We also put on puppet shows that help individuals understand about people with special needs. We'll go into a middleschool, for example, and talk to the kids to raise awareness about kids with disabilities."
Jason's trans-America ride will total 4,000 miles, will last 67 days, and average 76 miles a day.
He says he is close to raising the required $5,000 minimum in pledges. In 2004, Jason participated in Gear Up Florida -- a ride across Florida for Push America.
Jason said the Journey of Hope began in 1987 when an Pi Kappa Pi fraternity brother decided to bike across the U.S. to raise money and awareness to benefit individuals with disabilities. It has been growing in participation ever since. The two and one-half month trek takes place during the summer so that college students can participate during their breaks.
A few facts about the organization, according to Jason: cycling through more than 30 different states, the men of Pi Kappa Phi reach out to communities, organizations, and people with disabilities through an exciting schedule of events. The cycling events are carrying with them a message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities. Journey of Hope is the premier event Push America organizes that brings together more than 100 communities and raisesmore than $500,000 on behalf of people with disabilities.
 The Journey of Hope also distributes more than 60 grants to partnering organizations in the cities visited.
What makes the Journey of Hope special, Jason said, is the programming the cycling team participates in across the country. Each day, the team meets with some of the best organizations that support people with disabilities in America. The Journey of Hope's puppet shows educate more than 2,500 children a year (Kids on the Block Puppet Shows).
According to Jason, "the volunteers of Push America know the difference between talk and action. "The work we do together is instrumental in building a movement that is strong enough to continue to effect change. You are already taking action in helping Americans with disabilities gain accessibility and acceptance through your donations." Eighty seven percent of donations go directly into supporting this cause.
Push America is a non-profit organization supported by family and friends of the cyclist and corporate sponsors who want to reach out to people affected by disabilities around the world.
"We are grateful for those who support our work through generous gifts, both large and small. There is so much to be done. Every dollar donated will help us ensure that the programs and services that we provide remain relevant and available to everyone."
In addition to volunteering for Push America, the George Mason University graduate has served as a volunteer soccer coach with the Tuckahoe YMCA for two seasons every year since 2001. Jason said his two greatest role models have been his two grandfathers -- one a farmer in Bland, Va. and the other lives in Roanoke, Jason's birthplace. "They didn't push the volunteer thing so much as they did just being a good person.
"I'm a cyclist and have competed in three Ironman events and several triathlons," Jason said. "But, Journey for Hope will be my biggest accomplishment because it's for a goal and a purpose bigger than myself."
(Follow Jason's journey on Facebook by searching Jason Faulkner. He also has a link on his page to accept donations. Supporters of Jason's ride can also go to https://secure.pushamerica.org/jasonfaulkner (credit cards accepted). Or, a check donation can be made out to Push America, write "JOH 2010-Jason Faulkner" on the memo line and mail to:
Jason Faulkner
9373 Man-O-War Court
Unit #1103
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
Donations are tax deductible and for any donation above $25, Push America will send you a certificate for tax purposes.
Push America is recognized as a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Federal Taxpayer ID number is 58-1588777.
(For comments/questions about this story, contact Cindi Graesser at cindi.itm@gamil.com)
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