Life Appreciation · Stories

A reason why living is so big. Read it, then add yours to the collection.

Back to all stories

A Living Is So Big story

Bike-a-thon promotes life appreciation

http://www.esubulletin.com/2012/03/15/10681
 

Luke Antes, junior digital audio major, rides in Sigma Pi’s annual bike-a-thon at their fraternity Saturday morning. The destination was to Williamsburg, which is a 40-mile trek. Julie Thephachan/The Bulletin


When their younger son attempted suicide, the Agudo’s wanted to show him that life is beautiful and wonderful, so they created Living Is So Big, and that summer they sold everything they owned and went on the road to share their message.


The foundation’s goal, according to their website, is to help people realize that the world and everything in it is beautiful, and life is worth living.

“I am really proud of (my family),” said Stephen Agudo, senior business management major. “If it wasn’t for school, I would be out there with them spreading the message.”


Agudo explained that his parents and brother have taken LISB on the road and across the nation. They have hit 50 cities and traveled over 18,000 miles to show people how to appreciate life.


“It’s not just about suicide anymore,” Agudo said. “It’s more than that. It’s trying to remind people to get all the negativity out of their life and just remind people that there is so much more (that is) positive that it is just harder to see with all the negative that overflows.”


His younger brother travels with his parents, and when they do events, he tells the story of what he was going through and how his focus on negativity brought him down to the point where he didn’t want to live anymore.


“This road trip has helped him out a lot because LISB has saved lives,” Agudo said. “They’ve been touching people and doing work.”

The men of Sigma Pi show support for LISB in their annual bike-a-thon, which was held on Saturday. During the bike-a-thon, Sigma Pi rode bikes from Emporia to Williamsburg in a 40 mile trip to raise money for LISB.

“It was fantastic,” said Dustin Miller, Sigma Pi member and senior rehabilitation service major. “(The bike-a-thon) was a good experience and one of the best times I have ever had.”


Sigma Pi raised $300 dollars last week through their table in the union, as well as going to talk with local businesses. Miller said that they “lucked out” because a lot of businesses were very generous and donated money.


“We all have taken Living Is So Big as not just a foundation, but as a way we live our lives and a way we look at things,” Miller said. “The opportunity came up that we could help them out and give back to them and support them and the message they are trying to spread.”


All the proceeds go to help support LISB and to keep them going and on the road. Other than donations, the Agudo’s fund the project with their own money...


“They are so passionate about this. Honestly what are people so passionate about that they would sell their homes and not know where their next paycheck is coming from, that is rare,” Miller said. “When you hear them tell their story and hear them talk, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in their enthusiasm and really start to take LISB into your own life, to live life to the fullest and appreciate everything you have.”


For more information or to donate check out the Living is So Big website. LISB also sells t-shirts and wrist-bands, among other things.


Khaili Scarbrough

— with love, jagudo

Your point of view may be exactly what someone needs today

Living is so big. Share your reason.

Share your reasonVisit Living Is So Big

Back to all stories