Members hitting the pinata and chatting via zoom

Cross-Country Connections Defy Coronavirus

For 33 years, the philanthropic arm of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, known as The Ability Experience has sponsored an annual “Journey of Hope” cross-country bike ride to create awareness and raise funds to support people with disabilities. While en-route, participating cyclists stop along the way to enjoy “Friendship Visits” with organizations that serve individuals with disabilities, like Envision Unlimited.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s friendship visits have been largely virtual such as the one at Envision’s Westtown Center which was attended in person by seven Envision Members as well as by longtime Envision Buddy Biking volunteer Tim Smith. Tim is a Pi Kappa Phi alumnus, who has been biking 3,000-plus miles this summer and logging his progress locally as part of a virtual Journey of Hope.

More than 30 Ability Experience supporters joined the Westtown friendship visit via Zoom to play bingo. Then, the party moved outside where Envision Members smashed two Coronavirus pinatas that the Envision arts studio had created specifically for the occasion. The pinatas, filled with COVID essentials like hand sanitizer and soaps, were a favorite amongst the attendees.

The use of technology and outdoor spaces has allowed members and volunteers to maintain friendships during these uncertain times. Thank you, Tim, organizers of The Ability Experience, and Envision Unlimited Members for such a fun event. We can’t wait until next year!