CYCLING FOR A CAUSE
Local man cycles 100 miles to support Spring Valley YMCA
LIMERICK >> There are few things for which most people would go 100 miles.
For John Curcio, 53, of Gilbertsville, helping out the Spring Valley YMCA was one of those things.
“I’m riding 100 miles for our annual campaign which promotes families and children who can’t necessarily afford the Y. It will help with memberships, it will help with swim lessons. It will help with any programs that people normally can’t afford and it’s to raise money for our annual campaign,” said Curcio.
Curcio, who suffered a spinal cord injury following a roofing accident in 1988, used the YMCA’s Sci-Fi Arm Bike. The exercise machine allows him to pedal with his arms instead of his legs. He was averaging around 10 to 11 miles per hour Wednesday and had hit mile 27 by around 9:30 a.m.
“People ask me, ‘Why 100 miles?’ I don’t know. A hundred miles just stuck in my head,” said Curcio.
This will be Curcio’s fourth year raising funds for the YMCA through the Ride for the Y event. Curcio credits the Y with helping him adjust to his new life following his accident. He supports the Y’s mission by participating in the bike ride, and also as a part-time staff member who works at the Welcome Desk, coaches Youth Basketball, and teaches Ping Pong.
“I joined the Y probably five years ago. I was actually 305 pounds so I joined the Y and then six months in I thought, ‘Maybe I’d like to work here,’ said Curcio. “Plus with this place, I’m down 100 pounds. This place has given me everything. It’s given me weight loss, it’s given me peace of mind. If this is the way I can give back, it’s worth it.”
Curcio and other YMCA members and staff could be seen as early as 7 a.m. Wednesday morning pedaling in the lobby. Visitors were encouraged to sign up to pedal alongside Curcio and donate to the campaign. “People don’t realize it but the Y is not only a gym and swim facility but we’re a big non-profit,” said Jessica Rigo, Curcio’s coach and advanced wellness director at the Spring Valley YMCA. “Our annual campaign supports all the community related programming that we do here. Anybody can come in off the street and if they can’t afford a membership, we have a sliding pay scale for people who are financially disadvantaged. We never turn anybody away for the inability to pay.”
The event was held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
“This means so much. If I can make one child, one family happy or help them get a membership, it’s all worth it,” said Curcio.
For those who weren’t able to make it on Wednesday for the fundraising event, other Ride for the Y cycle events are scheduled for March 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and March 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For more information on upcoming events or how to donate visit philaymca.org/ locations/spring-valley/