GEAR UP FLORIDA 2022
Since 1997, over 500 Pi Kappa Phi men have participated in Gear Up Florida. Gear Up Florida was created with one mission in mind: to reach out to as many people as possible across the state of Florida, spreading a message of acceptance and understanding on behalf of people with disabilities.
THE JOURNEY: MIAMI – TALLAHASSEE | 14 DAYS | 800 MILES
One state, countless memories. This 800-mile cycling event kicks off on the shores of Miami, travels through the Florida orange fields, Gulf Coast, Orlando, and Jacksonville, and culminates at the State Capitol in Tallahassee. The team spreads a message of acceptance and understanding to communities in Florida through friendship visit with local groups that supports people with disabilities.
DETAILS ON JACKSONVILLE FRIENDSHIP VISIT
Members of Club Challenge and the Adult Day Training program shared lunch with our guests from The Ability Experiences’ Gear Up Florida program. Following lunch, everyone had some fun in the sun with yard games at Camp Chowenwaw Park. Thank you to Lynn Higgs and our friends at Camp Chowenwaw Park for making sure we had a gorgeous rustic setting for our event. To the dynamic duo of Mary Rawlins and Cindi Ross at Firehouse Subs, kudos to you both for going the extra mile to insure we all enjoyed a delicious lunch.
The program this year expanded to include a visit with the Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation program, where those who wanted to test their skill at wheelchair basketball got to take on some of the nation’s top adaptive athletes. Thank you, Dan Caldwell, coaches, and athletes at Brooks Family YMCA for this unique experience.
Thank you to Basil Lyberg, Andrew Matznick, Liam Wyman, and the rest of the Gear Up Florida 2022 team. We hope you join us in March for the Gate River Run!
