SXU alum bikes across U.S. to raise money for St. Jude
'Tis the season to give back and help those around us. Many take the holiday season to lend a helping hand or give support to their favorite charity. However, for one Saint Xavier University (SXU) alum, he is putting the pedal to the metal and "cycling for charity." Anthony Bronzell has hit the road this holiday season, cycling from St. Augustine Florida. to San Diego, California, to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude.
After graduating from SXU with a business degree in 2002, Bronzell purchased a Domino's Pizza in Mokena. So, what exactly inspired this Chicago native to take his mission on the road?
Bronzell first heard about St. Jude 13 years ago, while working as a manager for Domino's Pizza. He enjoyed watching the relationship between the pizza company and St. Jude blossom, quoting "there's nothing sweeter than giving a child a chance to live."
Having grown up in a single parent home, Bronzell understood a parent's feeling of struggling to make ends meet, but more importantly, empathized for kids fighting to survive.
"When you are struggling to survive as a kid, it's good to have support, and when it isn't there, you want to just give up," said Bronzell. "I knew what it was like to be hopeless in a different way."
Having learned that St. Jude pays for families to be with their children during treatment with no cost to them, he was floored.
"When a child is sick, it's great to know that the parents of that child don't have to worry about working harder to come up with the money for treatment, so they can focus on their child receiving support, love and care," said Bronzell.
Every year, Domino's Pizza works to raise funds through its partnership with St. Jude. In 2016, Bronzell's Mokena store raised the most money nationally and won a trip to the St. Jude Hospital. During their trip, he brainstormed ideas on how to raise even more and that's when the "cycling for charity" idea came to fruition.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from his venture will go to the care and housing of the kids and their families at no cost to them.
To donate to the cause or follow Bronzell on his journey across the nation, visit his website at www.tonysridestjude.com.