Agerton to spend summer helping people with disabilities
2/7/2012 4:15:26 PM
(Feb. 7, 2012) Zack Agerton will be spending his summer
traveling across the United States, but his trip won't be a vacation. He plans
to spend seven weeks building accessible amenities at camps for people with
disabilities.
This summer will mark the second time Agerton, a senior at
North Georgia College & State University, has been a part of Build America,
a national philanthropy project by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Agerton
said joining the group and being part of the Build America team was a
life-changing event.
"Last summer was some of the best days of my life," he said.
"Not long after joining the team last year I switched my major from
athletic training to early childhood and special education. Working with people
with disabilities puts a smile on my face and has become a lifelong passion of
mine."
Agerton and two dozen of his fellow Pi Kappa Phi brothers will start in
Denver, Colo., on June 20 and build their way across the country, ending in
Washington, D.C. Each day, the volunteers spend from eight to 10 hours on
projects such as building wheelchair ramps, carving out nature trails or making
playgrounds accessible for children with disabilities. When work is finished
for the day, teams spend time visiting with campers and helping out with fun
camp activities and wilderness adventures such as whitewater rafting.
"Because I have been fortunate enough to attend this event before I
know that each visit can be life-changing not just for the campers, but also
for me," Agerton said. "This will be
my second time giving up my entire summer to ensure that every camper has a
true camp experience through nature hikes, rock climbing, swimming, fishing and
to help make that a possibility for many excited individuals."
The purpose of Build America is to help people with disabilities and
raise money and awareness. Each member of Build America is asked to raise
$4,000, but Agerton has set his goal at $7,000; his team's goal is $100,000.
Money raised goes to Push America, a nonprofit organization founded in
1977 by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and is used to help people with disabilities
and fund the Build America projects.
To make a tax-deductible contribution to Agerton's goal:
For more information, email Agerton or
call him at (678) 936-2283.