Gear Up Florida Presented by Saturn Kicks Off This Weekend; Cyclists Cross Florida to Raise Awareness for People With Disabilities

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 8 -- Starting Sunday, May 11, 2003, 35 Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity members will leave Miami and cycle 850 miles over the next two weeks, crossing Florida and arriving on the steps of the State Capitol in Tallahassee on Saturday, May 24, 2003. The event, called Gear Up Florida Presented by Saturn, raises funds and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities and, this year, is expected to raise $75,000 from the participating cyclists and corporate sponsors.

The Gear Up Florida team represents 20 Pi Kappa Phi chapters from college campuses throughout the United States, with each cyclist raising a minimum of $1,800 for his participation. Corporate sponsors of the event include Saturn(R) Corporation; Florida Powertrain; Publix Super Markets Charities; CAMPUSPEAK; Clif Bar; Flycaster & Co and Florida FreeWheelers.

Visiting 13 Florida cities, the cyclists and crew will participate in a wide range of special events hosted by local organizations supporting people with disabilities. Over the two-week trek, more than 75 local volunteers assist in the logistics and event planning for cities hosting the Gear Up Florida Presented by Saturn expedition.

          Itinerary for Gear Up Florida 2003 Presented by Saturn

         Date                                Florida Destination
         5/10                                       Miami
         5/11                                       Clewiston
         5/12                                       Fort Myers
         5/13                                       Sarasota
         5/14                                       Clearwater
         5/15                                       Tampa
         5/16                                       Tampa
         5/17                                       Lakeland
         5/18                                       Orlando
         5/19                                       Orlando
         5/20                                       Ocala
         5/21                                       Gainesville
         5/22                                       Jacksonville
         5/23                                       Live Oak
         5/24                                       Tallahassee

The event, now in its 7th year, is a project of Push America, the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity that raises money and provides service and education to promote a greater understanding of people with disabilities. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity is the only national men's fraternity to establish and maintain its own national philanthropy. Since Push America was founded in 1977, its members have raised more than $8 million for this cause through many national projects.