On April 10, Michael Grus of Cranberry Township will use his passion for the outdoors to give back during the pandemic by rucking — walking with a weighted backpack — for the families at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown Inc.

Grus’s fundraiser is known as the Ruck 41.2 and consists of Grus walking 41.2 miles in North Park, McCandless Township. He’ll be carrying a 50-pound weighted backpack specifically made for rucking.

Grus became inspired to help the Ronald McDonald House Pittsburgh when he and several of his coworkers prepared a meal at the charity for the families staying there.

“I knew after that experience I wanted to volunteer there, but the COVID-19 pandemic had hampered that idea,” Grus said. “So, I thought about how I could help in other ways.”

Grus’s fundraiser is part of the Projects of Passion, or P.O.P., program at RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown.

The program invites individuals, businesses, organizations and schools to channel their passion into a fundraising endeavor supporting families at the charity.

For Grus, being active in the outdoors is a way of life. He played lacrosse in high school and college and participated in half-marathons, marathons and iron-man events.

“I always have to be doing something,” Grus said.

Grus trains daily for the event and hopes to complete the walk in 12 hours.

To support the Ruck 41.2, visit the event donation site at www.bit.ly/RuckPOP.