The Quad

Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Features

The West Chester University brothers of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, Zeta Nu chapter, displayed their flag proudly this past weekend. Second-year marketing major Anthony DeJesse led the group as they constructed, from the ground up, a wheelchair ramp outside of the Saint Lukes Union American Methodist Episcopal Church on Franklin Street in the borough of West Chester.

"With the ramp, we hope to accomplish full handicap 'access' into the church," DeJesse said.

The ramp was built as part of their philanthropic event called AccessABILITY through Push America and Pi Kappa Phi. AccessABILITY is a Push America construction program where the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi support the community through the construction of wheelchair ramps for families and individuals that would not otherwise be able to afford them.

Their goal was not only to aid the elderly members within the community that have a hard time getting into the church but also those visiting from the surrounding areas.

Pi Kappa Phi's mission, as a national organization, is to aid in the building of the leaders of tomorrow, through hands-on service to people with disabilities.

Pi Kappa Phi had 100 percent total participation. With extensive and careful planning and the help of family and friends, they were able to overcome their zoning railing problems and successfully complete their fourth project in just one weekend.

Fourth-year political science major Kevin Burke was eager to express his feelings as he dug out the preliminary working area at the site.

"I like doing this," Burke said. "It brings time where we can come together as men through service learning."

Fourth-year student Justin Greenhow, who rode his bike across the country this past summer to raise money and awareness for causes supported by Pi Kappa Phi, had a more personal connection to this event.

Greenhow's father, Ned Greenhow, a Pi Kappa Phi Alumnae Initiate as of April 14, 2007, kindly agreed to be the head contractor for this local endeavor, truly upholding his duty as brethren of the WCU Zeta Nu chapter.

"They are a great bunch of guys," Ned said. "I am glad to see what they're doing within the community."

Gardner/Fox Construction and Architecture which is located in Bryn Mawr, Pa., was happy to help the student leaders both on and off-campus, through planning and actually physically constructing the ramp, and railing and newly remodeled entrance to the church.

This will certainly not be the last WCU sees of Pi Kappa Phi and AccessABILITY. For more information on Gardner/Fox, please visit www.gardnerfox.com.

Jessica Todd-Marrone is a third-year student majoring in international relations with minors in journalism and Spanish. She can be reached at JT608859@wcupa.edu.

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