CHRISTINA O'CONNOR Special to The Roanoke Times

Virginia Tech sophomore Vincent D'Amico takes an indoor cycling class at the McComas Gym on campus. D'Amico uses the classes as part of his training for Journey of Hope, the cross-country cycling challenge he will be starting in the summer.

BLACKSBURG -- Virginia Tech sophomore Vincent D'Amico has anything but a college student's "typical" summer planned.

He won't be relaxing on a beach somewhere working on his tan, nor will he be waiting tables at night to make some extra money to spend during spring break. Instead, D'Amico will be riding his bicycle cross country to raise money for Push America's Journey of Hope.

"I know this summer will give me an entirely new perspective on life," he said. "It will definitely be life-changing."

Since the summer of 1988, members of the fraternity Pi Kappa Phi have been raising money for their national outreach project, Push America, by making the 4,000-mile trek across the United States.

Bicyclists will take one of three routes -- two from San Francisco and one from Seattle -- that each start on the same June day. There are 30 individuals who will bike each route, and all 90 of them will meet up and ride into Washington, D.C., in August.

In 1977, Pi Kappa Phi established the nonprofit organization Push America to help raise awareness, understanding and funds for people with disabilities. Each summer, there are four programs that brothers can apply to join.

"This organization struck a chord with me," said D'Amico. "I saw the Journey of Hope video during a rush event for the fraternity, and it instantly became a goal of mine. It's the main reason I joined Pi Kappa Phi."

Every day, the members will be riding an average of 75 miles on their bikes, stopping every 10 miles for food and water. Later in the afternoons, at a designated location each day, they will spend time sponsoring an event for individuals with disabilities, such as a softball game, bowling or visiting people in the community.

Each fraternity member participating in the Journey of Hope has to raise a minimum of $5,000 for Push America. None of that money includes any personal fare, but it is all donated to the organization.

D'Amico's personal goal is to raise $6,000.

"You can't just donate money, but you actually have to put your own hard work into it," he said. "I can actually see where the money is going."

To get ready for the summer-long ride, D'Amico cycles four times a week, either biking outside or attending spin classes at an on-campus gym, and he weight trains three of those days. He also sticks to a fairly nutritious diet to get his body ready.

"I'm just a naturally healthy person," he said. "I tend to shy away from soda and junk food, so I don't really follow any rigid nutritional program."

Last summer, D'Amico worked at Push America's Push Camp in Alabama, and next summer he plans to ride in a smaller, two-week version of the Journey of Hope, called "Gear Up," where participants bike the coast of Florida.

"I want to keep spending my summers working for Push America," D'Amico said. "But I also have to find a job sometime while I'm in college."

D'Amico is double majoring in international studies and economics and is an active member of his fraternity and the Tech campus. He hopes to work in the Peace Corps for a while after he graduates and then attend graduate school.

"I can't do anything in a cubicle," D'Amico said. "No 9-to-5 in a suit everyday job for me -- hopefully."

Three other members of the Tech chapter of Pi Kappa Phi will be working with Push America this summer as well. Ryan Cole will be biking with D'Amico in the Journey of Hope, Keith Chostner will be working for Build America to help construct homes for individuals with disabilities and Sean Anger will be biking Florida for the program Gear Up.

"I've always wanted to do the Journey of Hope since I joined Pi Kapp but haven't had a free summer to devote to it," Cole said. "I told myself I would do it after I graduated, so here I am. I am excited to be one of the roughly 90 members of my fraternity coming to people's communities to help bring a smile to their faces."

To donate to Vince D'Amico's Journey of Hope, visit vincesjourney.com.