NIU’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter will be staging what they call a “scaffold sit-in” all week in the Martin Luther King Memorial Commons to help raise awareness for those with disabilities.

Pi Kappa Phi is using the sit-in as a way to benefit its philanthropy called Push America, which serves people with disabilities.

“We are selling raffle tickets at six for $5 and one for a dollar with half of the proceeds going to Push America, and the other half going to the winner of the raffle,” said senior marketing major Scott Hennke. “We are using this time to raise money for a good cause and we will also be in Hudson, Ill. from April 22 to the 24 at a camp for kids with disabilities to build a wheelchair ramp and repair the roof of a building.”

Members of the fraternity will be camping out near and on the scaffolding 24 hours a day, every day until Friday to show their support for Push America.

“We are trying to show how dedicated we are to this cause and letting people know we are now an active fraternity on campus,” said freshman physical therapy major John Acosta.

Along with the sit-in, Pi Kappa Phi is hosting “no boundaries week,” which will consist of other events to raise awareness for people living with disabilities.

An Empathy Bowling night will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Huskie Den of the Holmes Student Center for $5 a person. An all-you-can-eat Empathy dinner also will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Douglas Honors Lounge also for $5 a person. Proceeds from both events will go to Push America.

For sophomore political science major Gregory Bolotin, helping people with disabilities hits close to home. His father is living with multiple sclerosis and his mother has mental disabilities that prevent her from functioning normally.

“I was too young to help my parents all the time, but now I am able to help others with disabilities and get more people involved, and it’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a good cause,” Bolotin said.

Pi Kappa Phi also will be selling red “Live Strong” style bracelets for $2 that benefit Push America.

Pi Kappa Phi fraternity has been recognized by the Student Association as a fraternity since October 2004.

For more information about donating to Push America, go to www.pushamerica.org.