ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Roanoke College handed over 400 students their diplomas in early May. One alumnus is taking on life after graduation with an epic journey across the country to help those with disabilities.
As the former President of Pi Kappa Phi at Roanoke College and recent graduate earning a degree in Health and Exercise Science, Connor VanOrden is joining Journey of Hope as a cyclist this summer, raising awareness and money for people with disabilities. He’ll be biking from Seattle, Washington to Washington, DC with his fellow fraternity brothers from across the nation.
“The idea of a cross country ride alone was interesting to me and then you throw on top the philanthropy, you throw on top helping people out and helping people with disabilities. It’s just a great cause and so those two things coming together just seemed like the perfect storm,” said VanOrden.
Journey of Hope is a program through The Ability Experience, a philanthropic initiative of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.
“We were the first and so far, only Greek letter organization to found our own philanthropy. Our founders saw a need for folks with disabilities that needed an inclusive environment to play. So we were founded on the concept of building play units for those with disabilities. Now it focuses on the importance of friendships. Those one-to-one connections between our students and those with disabilities,” said Andrew Matznick, The Ability Experience Executive Director of Programs.
