Pennsylvania college student runs and bikes to help those in need

[Holly3278]

Greensburg, Pa., Jul 25, 2010 / 01:15 pm (CNA).- Sylvan Pinto IV biked 301 miles from West Newton, Pa., to Washington, D.C., biked 15 miles on another trip and ran 37 miles to help Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg defray medical costs for people in need.

A parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greenburg, Pa., Pinto contacted Catholic Charities when he was 16 and a sophomore at Hempfield Area High School.

An avid runner, Pinto, now 20, wanted to “put a reason behind running” and help others. He got the idea after reading the book, “Ultramarathon Man,” about a man who helped save people’s lives by running. The runner logged 200 miles to help pay for a liver transplant for one person and a heart transplant for another.

“It made me think I could do something to help people. I figured I could do it on my own, but it wouldn’t be as special if I didn’t help someone,” said Pinto, an elementary education major who will be a junior this fall at Robert Morris University, Moon Township.

catholicnewsagency.com/news/pennsylvania-college-student-runs-and-bikes-to-help-those-in-need/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29

Mr. Pinto is an inspiring person in my book. I wish I had the will power to help out a charity like that. Unfortunately, I could never bike that much. Just biking 1/2 mile gets me so out of breath that I nearly pass out. That is how out of shape I am in. Of course, I guess I could help out charities in other ways. I am wanting to possibly volunteer for a local Crisis Pregnancy Center/Clinic. I would also like to become involved in the Legion of Mary which is more of a ministry than a charity.

 

[coolduude]

Pretty cool stuff