From www.pushamerica.org:

In 1976 Durward Owen, then Executive Director of Pi Kappa Phi, called a meeting of the minds with the leaders of Pi Kappa Phi in an effort to mobilize the work force that was the fraternity's undergraduate members. At that time, he approached a man named Thomas Sayre who designed a therapeutic play unit for children with severe disabilities. Little did they know that their collaboration would spur a philanthropic initiative that is, to this day, an unparalleled success in the Greek world.

In 1977 Push America was established as a non-profit organization by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Ingenuity has allowed for Push America to develop premier programming for Pi Kappa Phi undergraduates and alumni. What started out as construction of Thomas Sayre's play unit has evolved into a collection of nationally recognized programs that promote a greater understanding of people with disabilities.

In 1987, Bruce Rogers embarked on a daunting journey of cycling across the country in an effort to bring more attention to the mission of Push America. His trek inspired Push America to create the Journey of Hope in 1988, where the first 21-person team, led by Jim Karlovec, cycled from the west coast to Washington, D.C. Through the dedication and hard work of Jim Karlovec, Ken Kaiser, John Pierce, and Sally McArdle, cycling has become a great way to raise funds and spread awareness of the abilities of people with disabilities. Today the Journey of Hope has grown to three different routes with over 90 Pi Kappa Phis cycling every summer to build hope for the future.
With the experience and knowledge gained from coordinating the Journey of Hope, Push America expanded its cycling events by creating Gear Up Florida in 1997. Gear Up Florida is a two week, 800-mile cycling trip beginning in Miami and ending in Tallahassee. This trip has become the best two weeks of programming Push America has to offer with its incredible line-up of special events and extensive interaction with people with disabilities.

Push America's construction efforts expanded in 1989 when the first Give-A-Push Weekend was held at Holy Angels in Charlotte, N.C. Now undergraduates from all over the country have the opportunity to attend one of these two-day programs, where they work together to construct accessible environments for facilities supporting people with disabilities. Two years later, the first week-long construction program entitled Push Camp, was held at the Clemson Outdoor Lab in Clemson, SC. Today, Pi Kappa Phi members forgo the traditional college spring break experience to attend this week of service, brotherhood and fun. The third construction program, AccessABILITY, was introduced in 1994 and is designed to allow undergraduates and alumni to participate in local service programs making homes accessible through the construction of wheelchair ramps.

In 2003, another construction program was added to Push America’s list to impact camps and communities over a six week period during the summer. Build America was created to provide an opportunity for members of Pi Kappa Phi to join a team that would travel cross country together and build accessible environments while forming friendships at different camps they visit. Build America gives members a whole week of interaction with people with disabilities and is a life-changing experience to the men who participate in it. The men of Pi Kappa Phi are able to create tangible results through accessible construction in the camps and communities that are visited.

Undergraduate chapters across the country have and continue to establish volunteer relationships with local facilities that support people with disabilities in conjunction with fund raising on campus and in their local communities for the programs of Push America.

Members of Pi Kappa Phi have raised millions of dollars for the programs of Push America as well as donated millions of man hours to renovate facilities that support people with disabilities across the country. But, the history of Push America is not complete. New programs are on the horizon, there are more funds to be raised and millions of Americans to expose to the abilities of people with disabilities and the mission of Push America.