July 16, 2009

Cyclists on a Journey Bring Hope to People with Disabilities
Official Welcoming Ceremony is 9 a.m. Monday at City Hall

Who: City of Arlington and Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities

What: Journey of Hope 2009

When: 9 a.m. Monday, July 20 - Official Welcoming Ceremony

Where: Arlington City Hall Courtyard, 101 W. Abram St.

Why: To raise public awareness and support of programs that serve people with disabilities. The three-day stop in Arlington includes the following activities:

• 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19, at UT Arlington - UTA Movin’ Mavs will play a game of wheelchair basketball with Journey of Hope cyclists in the UTA Maverick Activity Center, 550 W. Nedderman Dr. Admission is free. The game is dedicated to the memory of Movin’ Mavs Founder Jim Hayes.
   
• 9 a.m. Monday, July 20, at City Hall, 101 W. Abram St. - Welcome reception in the Courtyard includes City Council proclamation presented by Mayor Pro Tempore Lana Wolff. Arlington Police Department motorcycle unit will provide official escort.
   
• 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, Bad Konigshofen Family Aquatic Center, 2800 W. Sublett Road - Journey of Hope cyclists will accompany children with disabilities to the municipal swimming pool for two hours of fun and recreation.

About the Journey of Hope
The Journey of Hope is a national outreach project that raises public awareness and support for programs that serve people with disabilities. It is the largest fundraising campaign for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Push America, the fraternity’s national nonprofit organization. Since 1996, the City of Arlington has been a host city for teams of cyclists on a 4,000-mile cross-country trek that has raised millions of dollars. Their journey begins in San Francisco and Seattle and ends in Washington, D.C. Arlington is near the midway point for the southern route. Select cities on the route host the cyclists and plan activities especially for people with disabilities.

Learn more about the Arlington Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities at www.arlingtontx.gov/disabilities. For information about the activities, contact Ellen Brooke at 817.459.6143 or Ellen.Brooke@arlingtontx.gov.