Dean Coffman's Journey of Hope

Help me raise enough money so I can bike across the country! All donations go towards helping people with disabilities! (Tax Deductable!)

My name is Dean Coffman, I am a sophomore at Virginia Tech and a current brother of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Every summer, Pi Kappa Phi’s National Philanthropy, "The Ability Experience", holds an event called Journey of Hope. Journey of Hope begins during the first week of June, as select brothers of Pi Kappa Phi embark on their two-month bike ride from Seattle to Washington, DC. This trip can

be anywhere from 3500-4500 miles in total, and averages about 70 miles per day. Throughout the trip, we will be making consistent stops at centers for people with disabilities; we call these stops "Friendship visits”, these include activities such as a cookout, baseball game, bowling, dinner and dance, and so much more. I decided that I wanted to participate in this Journey at a Special Olympics bowling event in the fall of 2015. I met a young man named Cody, and after beating my score by 42 points, Cody started telling me about his life, and his day-to-day experiences. What I then realized is just how valuable a friendship can be, I realized that “giving back” does not just mean writing a check to an organization, it can mean giving your time and being a friend as well. Currently, there are 54 million people living with some type of disability in the United States. People with disabilities face many challenges every day that you and I cannot imagine. One of the most tragic barriers is a lack of understanding by our society. A simple message of empathy and acceptance is all it takes to break down this barrier, and I have committed myself to spreading this message this summer. The money that you are donating will go directly to our National Philanthropy: The Ability Experience (tax deductible, more information at http://www.abilityexperience.org/pushcontent.aspx?id=449). My goal is to raise $8000 total by the time that the event starts on June 3rd, 2017. Your donation will mean the world to me, and it will go directly towards the special needs community to create memories that will not be forgotten. Thank you so much for your support. Please feel free to contact me at my personal email: [email protected].

Photos from Dean Coffman's Journey of Hope's post

08/14/2017

My Journey of Hope has concluded! Yesterday we rode onto the Capital steps of Washington, DC. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime and I am grateful for all of the generous contributions that allowed me to do it.

This trip has allowed me to see and appreciate all the blessings that I have in my life. Remember this: to whom much is given, much is expected. Always count your blessings and give back to others.

Finally, I would like to thank my parents: Daryl Coffman and O'Lear Janice. These two have seen me at my worst, and through it all, never lapsed faith in me nor my potential.

God bless you all, and God bless the South. Thank you for following me throughout my Journey!!

08/10/2017

08/03/2017

Hello friends and family! Haven't been able to post in a while but things have been amazing! We have rode our bikes a total of 3250 miles and only have 500 more miles to go! The friendship visits have been spectacular and I have made memories that will last me a lifetime. I've learned so much about myself and the special needs communities around the country. I've attached some pictures below and will add more soon!

35 cyclists ride cross-country for Journey of Hope

07/26/2017

http://bit.ly/2vYc4WX

35 cyclists ride cross-country for Journey of Hope

07/22/2017

Hello from Vicksburg, Mississippi! Over the past week we have traveled from Dallas, to Monroe, Louisiana, over the Mississippi River and into Mississippi. We have been having some amazing friendship visits and tomorrow we will be helping people with disabilities travel on planes for the first time ever. Thanking God and all my sponsors for granting me the opportunity to see the country and meet so many amazing people all while supporting those with disabilities.