By Samantha Porter

For sophomore chemistry major Matt Stevenson, cycling is more than just a way of keeping in shape.

As the Alpha Delta Phi philanthrophy chair, Stevenson sought for a way to combine his desire to ride with a means for helping others.

On May 19, he will do that when he participates in the sixth annual Ride for Missing Children, a 100-mile outing sponsored by the New York branch of the National Center for Missing ‘ Exploited Children. More than 120 pledged bicycle riders make the ride.

“We usually do something for cancer or a cause along those lines, but I thought it would be a good idea to do something for kids,” Stevenson said.

The National Center for Missing ‘ Exploited Children’s mission is to assist in the recovery of missing children and protect all children from sexual exploitation. More than 2,000 children are reported missing each day, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2002.

The funds generated by the Ride for Missing Children will be used to provide local case assistance and prevention services across New York State.

With the proceeds from last year’s race, the center was able to assist in the recovery of 886 children through care assistance and the distribution of more than 400,000 posters of those missing.

Alpha Delta Phi held a walk to benefit cancer research in the fall, has helped raise more than $500 in donations to support Stevenson’s upcoming ride.

“We do what sounds like a good cause,” said Brett Tavares, public relations chair.

Stevenson has been preparing for the ride for two months by ‘spinning,’ which, he said, is “a really intense, high-performance endurance ride” on a stationary device.

“I went home in March to do a 24-hour spin,” he said. “That started my training … I have always wanted to participate, and now I am ready.”

Although he has a long ride ahead of him, Stevenson is confident his dedication and training will pay off when he crosses the finish line.

“Everyone is totally behind it, and we put a lot of effort into it,” he said. “I won’t let myself not finish.”