†JMJ

Hello,

I was born in Streator, IL and raised outside of town by the loving hands of Robb and Mary Jean Caputo. Growing up I was a huge sports fan although not much of a runner or biker. Instead I preferred getting exercise from what I considered more entertaining forms of exercise such as basketball or the other mainline sports.

By God’s grace I ended up at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I really grew into my faith. It is here where I became involved with Students for Life of Illinois. However, Biking for Babies did not become a reality for me until last spring after my graduation, much prodding from Mike, and some words of encouragement from Stephen after driving alongside the bikers during the 2011 ride.

Currently, I am towards the end of my first year serving as a Catholic missionary for FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, at Ball State University located in Muncie, IN. During this time I ran in my first half-marathon again by invitation via Mike Schaefer, and to be honest since then, have really developed a heart for running.

We exist! What a prize we have, and through no merit of our own; something I find the honest man rather than the learned one is more disposed to discover. May we do all that is in our power to express our gratitude to the Other for which we owe our being and all of its beauty. More than anything, I want my life to be an attestation to Christ Jesus who gives to every person without distinction a deep, beyond surface level, value of existence. My hope is that Biking for Babies continues to shed light on the abomination that is abortion, help women in need of support and love, and continually invite others to be a part of our vision of restoring a culture of life.