CEC Alum Running Pier to Park, California to New York

Conwell-Egan Catholic High School alum Andrew Linder made a stop at his alma mater on May 14. It was on his trip from Santa Monica Pier in California to Central Park in New York City. Oh, by the way, Andrew was making that 3,100-mile trip on foot, wearing a 15-pound vest.

When he arrives in New York’s Central Park May 18 he will become the first person to run across America wearing a 15lb weighted vest to bring awareness to human trafficking and raise money for Sisters Rising Worldwide.

Sisters Rising Worldwide is a foundation that works with vulnerable populations in many ways, providing education, healthcare, and job skills training to victims of abuse.

“I’m a law enforcement officer in Washington, DC and I wanted to find the worst people on the planet, people who take advantage of others and I wanted to give their victims a voice,” said Linder, a 2015 graduate of CEC. “Doing this gives me a platform to get their message out. I’m more than willing to deal with some aches and pains to raise money for this cause.”

Andrew has been covering over 40 miles a day for over 60 days so far and made a point of stopping by his old high school on the way to New York, which he expects to reach on May 18.  “The best scenery was in Arizona,” Linder said of his trek across the country.  “Getting up the mountains was super tough but when you are on top of almost 10,000 feet looking down it puts a lot of things in life in perspective.”

Any 3,000-mile trip must also have some trials and tribulations.  “Getting attacked by dogs in New Mexico was probably the low point, but I have a great crew with me that helps me through any and all adversities we run into.”

A group of CEC football and track team members met Andrew a couple of miles away from the Fairless Hills campus and escorted him to the varsity field complex in the back of campus. “The escort was amazing,” said Linder.  “CEC is a class act and I’m so happy to be back in my hometown,” said the Bensalem native.

 “I think what he is doing is amazing,” said CEC senior Matt Gorman of the track team. “It’s great that we got the opportunity to meet him and be a small part of something so special. Running with him to campus, where he graduated from, was a great coming-home moment for him and for us as well.”

Covering 3100 miles on foot is tough enough but why the 15 lb weights?  “I wanted to do something that had never been done to raise awareness.” Linder said.

Linder leaves CEC and continues on to Central Park, where he expects to finish on May 18.  “Happy this is the final stretch,” Linder said.  “Very happy I got to come through Philadelphia and see my family and friends to give me this push for the finish. We’ve raised $100.000 in donations on this trip,” Linder said.  “Our goal is $250,000 so I’ll keep doing things until we hit that.”

Combating human trafficking requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, protection, prosecution, and victim assistance. Andrew chose SRW because sisters worldwide have used this approach for over 400 years and have a proven track record of protecting people from traffickers. They are also the only ones who live in the communities where the most vulnerable live, so know what is uniquely needed to protect individuals and the community.

Andrew Linder ’15, along with the Sisters Rising Worldwide Organization, are making this world a better place.

The CEC way.