Amol Garg, a 14-year-old Sammamish resident, rode his bike more than 200 miles in the hottest Seattle to Portland Classic yet, all to raise money for children’s education in India.
“It was inspirational,” Garg’s father said.
Garg rode for Team Asha, a sports program organized by Asha for Education, gives people the opportunity to discover the benefits of physical activities while helping raise funds for projects in India. Team Asha aims to provide every runner, every biker and every climber with the means to change their own lives and make a positive difference in the life of thousands of underprivileged children in India.
“Asha is a great organization because 100 percent of its revenue go towards the education in India,” Garg said. “It gives the most that it could possibly give.”
Garg said his dad had run a marathon and began telling him about the STP.
“I knew it was my thing,” he said. “I had this sudden ‘ah-ha’ moment that I had to do it.”
Garg said he specifically supports the Asha for Education organization because of what they do. In order to break world poverty, he said, we must create a self-sustainable environment where people are able to raise themselves up to earn money.
“You don’t want to give a cat fish and keep catching fish for it,” he said. “You want to teach the cat how to get the fish.”
What Team Asha is doing, Garg said, is giving money to educational programs in India so that children can get the necessary tools to be successful, breaking the poverty cycle. Through the STP, Team Asha was able to raise $1,160. The money will go towards educating a classroom of 25-30 children in India for approximately 30 months.
“It will definitely make a difference,” Garg said.
And this isn’t the first charitable organization Garg has been involved in. Several years ago, Garg and his friend created Creative Children for Charity (3C). Their goal is to inspire one million kids to donate their time and talents towards a social cause. Last year, they hosted a Cupcake and Canvas fundraising event where they raised $1,000 for the Make a Wish Foundation. This year, Garg won the ‘Youth Spirit Award’ at the SAMMI Awards.
“I’ve always liked charity,” Garg said. “It makes me feel good inside.”
Garg said there were hardly any kids riding on the STP. After falling the first day and battling 99 degree weather, Garg was determined to finish the race.
“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” he said. “No matter what age you are. I want to spread that message and inspire people.”
With his first STP completed, Garg plans on continuing to train and ride, with the hopes of completing the race in just one day next year. He also wants to run in the Seattle Half Marathon. And Garg, who will only be a freshman at Skyline High School this fall, is already setting his sights high for his collegiate career, explaining how he wants to study either medicine or law.
“I’m trying to go Ivy League,” he said. “Either Yale or Harvard.”
Until then, Garg plans to continue his charity work, staying active in what he says is the “best city in the world.”
