Mountain State Welcomes Push America: Journey of Hope

Huntington:

The PUSH America team rode into Huntington the evening of August 6, 2008 under grey skies with a few sprinkles. By the time they arrived at Ritter Park to meet with MTSTCIL consumers, staff, and board members, the sprinkle had become a down pour. We were fortunate to be in a shelter that was large enough to keep everyone fairly dry until the storm passed.

Famous Dave's in Huntington provided dinner of BBQ chicken and pulled pork along with salad, potato salad, cole slaw and their famous baked beans.

On the airwaves

During the "Friendship Visit" at the park, radio station Magic 97.9 did a remote from the park. Thank goodness they had a tent, because they got set up about the time the rain came. T (Teresa's nickname) and Mike were the two DJ's that were at the remote. Many thanks to Magic 97.9 for the remote as well as all the publicity for PUSH America, both on the radio and on their Web site.

A room for the night

Thanks to a small grant that MTSTCIL was able to secure from a Community Partnership Grant, MTSTCIL provided rooms at the Holiday Inn Limited at Pullman Square for the night for the riders. The riders were thrilled to actually be able to sleep in a nice bed, swim in the Holiday Inn pool, and to have some down time to enjoy Pullman Square. We appreciate the support of our sponsors so that we can give back to those who give so much of themselves.

Assistive Technology Grant

During the "Friendship Visit" Jay Holley, who rode the Trans American route in 2007 and is now a staff member, presented Cathy Hutchinson with a check for a $750.00 assistive technology grant. The entire crew made Cathy an honorary member of the PUSH America Journey of Hope 2008.

Beckley

The riders arrived in Beckley about 3 in the afternoon of August 8. As a refreshment and to help them hydrate after their bike ride from Charleston, we brought the guys cantaloupe and watermelon when they arrived in Beckley.

After getting settled in, the riders made their way to the MTSTCIL office in Beckley and had dinner with us. We served them homemade lasagna, salad, bread, and dessert.

The dinner was attended by Congressman Nick Rahall, Sheriff-Elect Steve Tanner, Chief of Police Tim Deems, and Delegates Ricky Moye and Mel Kessler along with staff and consumers of Mountain State Centers for Independent Living in Beckley. We had about 70 people at the dinner. A good time was had by all!

What they had to say about us!

Read what some of the guys had to say about their visit to WV:

Jamie O'Brien, in Huntington
Karl Heideman, in Huntington, and in Beckley
Steven Sanger, in Beckley
Cameron Sparks, Huntington
Ryan Dixon Edmonds, in Huntington and in Beckley

Trans America route

The guys visiting in Huntington and Beckley are on the Trans America route and will arrive in Washington, DC on August 16 where their summer's journey ends. The riders told us that this journey was a chance of a lifetime and they have made memories which will be with them forever.

MTSTCIL has had the privilege of meeting a different group of Pi Kappa Phi members on this journey for the past 5 years as they have biked through Huntington and Beckley. We continue to be impressed with their commitment to their mission and they are always a terrific group of guys who are personable, kind, and very interested in not only what we are doing at the Center, but also what our consumers are doing. We also enjoy hearing the stories that these young men have to tell.

Put some mustard on that hot dog!

When you watch the video Journey of Hope Documentary to learn more about what motivates these guys to take the Journey we think it will fill you with faith that our leaders of tomorrow will be caring and concerned people who will continue to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

See you next year!

If you weren't able to join us this year, make plans to do so next year. You'll meet the nicest group of college guys; have a good dinner, and the opportunity to spend some time learning about a bicycle trek across America.

For more information on the Journey of Hope 2008 and Push America, please visit them at: www.pushamerica.org.