October 26, 2006
La Salle University’s Heather McKinney Uses Athletic Skills
to Raise Funds to Help Others
Who would start their weekend by waking up at 4 a.m., drive an hour and then begin riding in a 70-mile bike race that started at 6:45 a.m. in the rain? One answer is Bensalem resident and La Salle University senior Heather McKinney, who participated in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) City to Shore Bike Tour.
“It’s part of my personality to take things as they come. To recognize and appreciate a good opportunity when it comes,” said McKinney.
“I had heard about the race from a mom, whose children I baby-sat for. I had also bought a bike earlier this summer, but I didn’t really think about participating in the race until I heard about (the MS fundraiser) in class,” said McKinney.
The offer to ride in the race came from Education Professor Robert Vogel. “He told the class that he had a friend who wanted to sponsor La Salle University students to ride in the race,” said McKinney.
Deciding to participate only a week and half before it started didn’t leave McKinney much time to raise money, but she was able to arrange for a $250 donation from her sponsors, Debbie and Allen Casnoff, who are friends of Vogel.
An Elementary and Special Education major and American Studies minor, McKinney has also participated in walks and runs to benefit the MS Society and rode in an American Cancer Society Bike Tour this past summer.
The MS race began in Woodcrest, N.J. and ended in Ocean City, N.J. With various rest stops along the way, the race took about nine hours to complete, and McKinney didn’t have time to prepare for the ride.
“I was surprised because I wasn’t sore the next day, but I think it probably had something to do with the fact that I am in pretty good shape because of Taekwon-do training,” said McKinney.
“The last seven miles of the race were my favorite because it was at this point that I was riding over the bridges leading into Ocean City. Being that I ride a bike slower than I ride a car, I actually got to enjoy the view of the water,” said McKinney. “When I entered the
city, there was a bunch a people gathered together cheering, which made the whole race worthwhile. It was truly a humbling experience,” said the 2003 Bensalem High School graduate.
Professor Vogel’s team raised $70,000 in the name of Jerald (Jersey) Brownstein, a 64-year-old man with MS who lives in Blue Bell, Pa.
McKinney decided to come to La Salle because it was close to home, and it allowed her to be able to continue in her Taekwon-do training. She also liked how La Salle was part of a big city, but when on campus it seemed like a whole other world.
“I came to the open house with my mother, and fell in love with the school and the people,” she said. “From the people I met at Day One (an orientation program), to the professors that smiled and greeted me when they walked by, I knew there was no other place that would make me feel this way. At La Salle, you are truly not a number. People know you inside and out of the classroom. The people here honestly care and want you to succeed and grow as a person.”
“I am glad I chose La Salle because the Education and American Studies professors are truly passionate about what they are doing, which makes me exited and want to become more involved. The people here have encouraged me to become more involved in the community around me,” said McKinney, who is a is a member of La Salle’s chapter of the Gamma Sigma Sigma Sorority.
After college, McKinney plans to apply for teaching positions. She also wants to further her education and hopes to receive a doctoral degree. “I am not sure what direction I want to take with furthering my education, but what I do know is that I want to decide my plan of action through my experiences,” said McKinney. “I ultimately hope to teach a higher level of education, and maybe become a college professor.” -- Theresa Sherlock |
