First of all, some information from the official Push America Challenge web site:
Push America is proud to introduce The Push America Challenge, a campaign that gives everyone the opportunity to display their human ability by competing in endurance events across the country and raising funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Push America is dedicated to increasing the funds raised for people with disabilities through the involvement of more athletes participating in Push America programs.
The Push America Challenge is designed to provide an opportunity for people to take an unselfish approach to endurance competition. Anyone that is or has ever been interested in participating in an endurance event, whether it is a marathon, triathlon or any other physically demanding activity, can now do so and raise funds and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities in the process.
After reading this definition, this sounds like a perfect fit for me. While running a marathon is a great personal challenge, training for it benefits few other than myself and my local sports drink distributor. I first read about the Challenge in the Push America online newsletter, it everything just clicked. I recalled the excitement on the faces of those I’d helped for a ramp construction project, and the hugs and tears from the many campers I worked with on Build America. To me, Push America isn’t just an organization, it’s a part of me. It’s made me the man I am today by instilling a genuine desire for volunteerism and advocacy for people with disabilities.
I encourage you to read more about the Push America Challenge on their web site, at http://www.pushamerica.org/events/PAC/. This web site lists all of the program participants to give you a better idea of the breadth of this program; I encourage you to tell your friends and get them involved as much as possible, or if you’re really motivated, sign up for yourself. For me, volunteerism is one of the most rewarding experiences that gives you back so much more than you put in to it.