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Gear Up Florida pedals support with visit to Challenge Enterprises

By Natalie Gilstrap For Clay Today
Posted 6/1/23

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Challenge Enterprises of North Florida welcomed Gear Up Florida for lunch last week at Camp Chowenwaw.

Every year, a team of cyclists from the fraternity Pi Kappa Phi …

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Gear Up Florida pedals support with visit to Challenge Enterprises


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Challenge Enterprises of North Florida welcomed Gear Up Florida for lunch last week at Camp Chowenwaw.

Every year, a team of cyclists from the fraternity Pi Kappa Phi undertakes a 950-mile journey across the state to spread awareness and understanding for individuals with disabilities. Along their route from Miami to Tallahassee, the team took the opportunity to visit 15 organizations that support people with disabilities.

“It’s not really about the cycling,” Project Manager for Gear Up Florida Jonathon Lewellyn said. “It’s more about the opportunity to get to visit all these organizations and express our love for people with all abilities.”

The cyclists were greeted with cheers from members of Club Challenge and the Adult Day Training Program when they rode into Camp Chowenwaw. They had an opportunity to meet and greet the cyclists before enjoying a meal provided by the Rolling Stoves Family Grill.

“It’s great interaction. We call it inclusion, where people with disabilities are recognized,” Challenge Enterprises CEO Nancy Keating said.

The group then enjoyed yard games such as cornhole and bocce ball.

The outcome was a success as Challenge Enterprises and Gear Up Florida enjoyed their time together.

“I thought it went great. We had a great time with everybody,” Stephanie Young, Challenge Enterprises Director of Marketing and Communications, said.

Similar interests, such as games and sports, connected the group.

“Thank you to Challenge Enterprises for having us year after year,” Lewellyn said. “This is an awesome visit every single year. We’re just really glad to be here.”

After they visited with Challenge Enterprises, the cyclists rode to Jacksonville, where they visited Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program and participated in wheelchair basketball with the country’s top adaptive athletes. The group completed their final 200 miles and arrived in Tallahassee on Saturday, May 27.