For most, summer break is a time for relaxation, making extra cash and getting tough courses out of the way. One former student, though, will spend his summer vacation traveling across the country, and for Michael Algozine, this is no ordinary road trip.

Algozine, NIU alumni and Pi Kappa Phi affiliate, will unite with 90 members of his fraternity from universities across the country to embark on a 64-day “Journey of Hope.” The Journey of hope is a 3,900-mile cross-country cycling trek organized to raise funds and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities.

Algozine is committed to raising a minimum of $5,000 and said he intends to raise more money than he raised on his first tour with the Journey of Hope in 2007.

“This year I’ve created a campaign called ‘Going the Extra Mile’ where I intend to meet my goal by collecting a $5 donation from 1,000 people,” Algozine said. “It’s a great way to get people involved and gain awareness of our cause.”

In June, Algozine will begin his expedition from the west coast to Washington D.C. followed by a team of support vans. The Journey of Hope 2009 team will spend its days and nights biking through 12 states and giving presentations in communities across the nation to help America understand the issues facing those with disabilities, Algozine said.

Jurors from the Journey of Hope select members from the Pi Kappa Phi fraternities to be on the team on the premise of scholarly merit and community involvement. Training for the cyclists begins the moment they are accepted onto the team. Getting prepared for the trip involves weight training, indoor cycling and most importantly, eating right, Algozine said.

“It’s a very rewarding challenge, proving to yourself that you can do it,” Algozine said. “Mostly it’s a great opportunity to interact with people with disabilities not just through the organization but on a personal level. We spend a lot of our time building friendships with people through our visits. It gives you a chance to see just how your help affects people’s lives.”