FROM THE CHAIRMAN
2020. THRIVING DURING A PANDEMIC. I remember March 2020. Pi Kappa Phi’s National Council met to discuss this thing called COVID-19 and what it meant for us and the fraternity. A group of students from The Ability Experience had just returned from Guatemala, spending a week supporting a school for children with disabilities. A few days later, I watched as the NBA, NHL and NCAA began to cancel games. Quickly, colleges across the country began sending students home, chapter events were canceled, and entire cities shut down. I remember sitting with staff as they wrestled with the decision to cancel summer events. It was in that moment that The Ability Experience team demonstrated its resolve. Resolve for our mission. Resolve to retain a sense of normalcy during these unprecedented times. And resolve to address the social isolation that people with disabilities faced more profoundly than ever. So we pivoted. We found new ways to deliver the mission and kicked off a virtual Gear Up Florida. I was blown away by the powerful determination of this group to make good on its commitment to help and support people with disabilities. Gear Up Florida was a statement that we weren’t going to sit back and wait for permission to help.
Throughout the summer, Journey of Hope and Build America teams hosted virtual friendship visits across the nation. We had more than 314 friends of The Ability Experience ride, run, roll and walk to raise critical funds and awareness. New online platforms emerged, opening opportunities for inclusive learning through panel discussions and podcasts. We launched Gaming for Inclusion—an interactive gaming program created to connect students and people with disabilities. And finally, we had a group of alumni and staff who cycled from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., to honor Jason Tirado and Todd Porterfield, two exemplary team members lost in 2000. To come out of the pandemic in this position is truly astounding. Full credit goes to you, our donors, who made these shared experiences possible during the pandemic. Thank you! Your support continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of all of those served by this resilient organization. Thank you for thinking big, for caring, for giving, and most of all, thank you for believing. As we close the chapter on the pandemic, I am encouraged to know that this is only the beginning. With your continued trust and support, we can do so much more. In gratitude,
Rfk
Donors are listed by giving level for the 2020 Calendar Year. [ ★ ] indicates Pi Alpha [ ✚ ] indicates 77 Society member
$25,000+
The Kelley Bergstrom Foundation Michael Davis ★ Hayes Martin MSJB Family Foundation Quicken Loans Community Fund
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Neil Mishurda ★ Cam Ossinger Kyle Perry Trevor Randolph Brendan Scott Lucas Simmons Donald Smith Lucas Taylor The Geo Group Foundation Inc Tim Theriault Cameron VanDeMark
$5,000–$9,999
$1,000–$2,499
Bruce & Sally Rogers ★ The DKH Charitable Trust
$10,000–$24,999
Tom Carter Dan Dawson ★ Ellen & Freddy Fernandez ★ ✚ Freedom Vango Melinda Gillis Goldman Sachs Gives Golden Oak Lending Jordan Manning ★ Network For Good Chad Perce ★ Florida Powertrain & Hydraulics Inc Jason Ragle Schwab Charitable Fund Carol Wolf
$2,500–$4,999
George Blank Janette Brackeen Mountaingate Capital Mike Carter ★ Bruce Clinton Clorox Gift Campaign Durran Coley Russ Faulkner ✚ Kyle Gray Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club Joseph Ingram Karlovec & Co, Inc. ★ Larry Keller ★ Bob Lane Basil & Michelle Lyberg ★ Walker McKee
Mark Allers ★ ✚ Alpha Chi Omega Foundation AmazonSmile Anonymous Anonymous Adam Bacon ★ ✚ Tanner Bacon ★ ✚ Bank of America Matching Gift Program Mike Barnes ★ ✚ Pamela Baumher Michael J Beffel Kelley Bergstrom Joel Borellis ★ Jeanne and Joe Brandmeyer Chris Brockmeyer ★ ✚ Robert S Brown R. Byron Brown Matthew Burton Jair Cabral ★ KRG Capital Antonio Caraza Charitable Flex Fund Dan Clark ✚ Clarkson Charitable Giving Fund Jack Cleary ★ Rachel Clover Jeff Colburn ★ ✚ Dawn Cooper Cushman Family Foundation LTD David Dalton ★ David Danis Diane Denzler Jack & Elizabeth Dextraze ★ Brian Dickman ★ ✚
Russ Faulkner, Delta Psi (Texas - Arlington) Chairman, The Ability Experience
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PIKAPP.ORG/NEWS
