Next summer, student Tyler Coons and members of Pi Kappa Phi from around the U.S. will embark on a coast-to-coast bike ride called the Journey of Hope.

The cross-country trip will be a 4,000-mile trek that will span 43 states. Riders hope to raise $650,000 in an effort to raise awareness for children with disabilities.

Tyler, a senior political science major, is hoping to raise $7,500 in support of Push America and aims to advance his tradition of service and volunteerism.

“I have always enjoyed helping people, all my life,” said Coons, who also volunteers at his local church.

The cross-country trip will stretch from either Seattle (TransAmerica), San Francisco (North) or Los Angeles (South), and ultimately end in Washinton, D.C. Team members will ride an average of 75 too 100 miles per day.

Coons will be joined by Pi Kappa Phi members from various universities. Among those participating will be fellow NIU student and Pi Kappa Phi member Steven Jans, a sophomore operations and information management major participating in his first Push America event.

“This is a life-changing experience and it’s for a great cause,” Jans said.

To train for the event, Coons and Jans are riding their bikes as often as possible, building up stamina and progressing mile by mile. Jans rides 25 to 30 miles per day.

Team members ride not just to support children, but also to take an active role in interaction and participation with them while engaging in “friendship visits” along the way. The visits will include a variety of activities and allow participants a chance to play board games and speak to children on a more personal basis.

Tyler’s volunteer experience with Push America dates back to summer 2012, when he was a participant in a Build America event.

“I got to see the direct effect of both my fundraising efforts and my work at the camps that I visited,” Tyler said.

Last year’s Journey of Hope raised more than $670,000 and participating members are hoping to top that number in 2013.