Ride to benefit people with disabilities

The fraternity has raised $10 million in 19 years.
By SARAH WEBER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
NILES -- Thirty cyclists from the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity will be stopping here Saturday after biking 65 miles from Cleveland on their trek to raise money for people with disabilities.
They are a part of Push America, a cross-country cycling ride for the cause.
Pi Kappa Phi is a national fraternity at 130 colleges/universities. The cyclists come from one of three teams from the fraternity who were randomly grouped together and are taking various routes across the nation.
The teams will cover 12,000 miles on their bikes. The Niles-Youngstown area is one of 180 places where Push America plans to stop.
At 2 p.m., the team will visit the representatives of the Fairhaven Foundation, which uses its funds to help members of the Fairhaven Program enjoy outside activities like baseball games and movies.
Foundation President Linda Tiihonen said the Fairhaven Program offers educational opportunities and support to people with mental and developmental disabilities. The cyclists will have a chance to meet with Fairhaven members and staff during their visit.
"It's really nice to see these young gentlemen come out and make these disabilities more visible in the community," Tiihonen said.
While the Fairhaven Foundation has received a portion of the money raised by the fraternity in the past, she said the money is just a small part of the benefit Push America has on those who have the disabilities.
Route and events
The cycling team will arrive in Niles on U.S. Route 422 and will have lunch provided by the Olive Garden on Youngstown-Warren Road. They will spend the rest of the day meeting members of the Fairhaven Program, including a party at the program building on North Road.
In 19 years of making the trip, the fraternity has raised more than $10 million. Through sponsors of this year's ride, Pi Kappa Phi estimates it will raise about $500,000 to help enhance the lives of people with disabilities.