Angelo Stambolis admits he wasn't getting the exercise he should have.

Then one day, the national construction firm where he works as an electrical estimator presented health insurance incentives to its employees."That's when I decided to go from a couch potato to a 5K runner," says the 45-year-old Kunkletown man.In order to motivate and commit himself to the health pledge he made, he added another commitment to the Semper Fi Fund as a Community Athlete.The Semper Fi Fund is a nonprofit, set up to provide immediate financial support for injured members of U.S. Marines and their families.As a former Marine (USMC '85-'90) he pledged that "Each mile of my training and race-day runs will be dedicated to those American heroes who have sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms. Together, we can ensure that no sacrifice is forgotten or need is unmet for our wounded warriors. By rallying communities in support of Semper Fi. Fund we can show our injured and ill servicemen and women that they are not forgotten, and that 'help is on the way.'"He searched online for an exercise regimine for doing 5Ks.Then he made his pledge on June 17 and began training for his first run, the Quiet Valley Rooster 5K Run, Saturday, July 9, by running up to two miles a day and he began watching what he ate.While not all that impressed with his time of 47 minutes 38 seconds, he is proud that he finished.He's also proud that when he started his pledge he weighed 270 lbs. and now weighs in at 260.When he turns in his time results from the 5Ks to his health insurance, he gets a discount.Angelo says he is motivated to improve his time for his next run which will be the 4th Annual Trout Creek Trot 5k Run on Saturday, Aug. 20 in Slatington to be followed by the Families First 9th Annual 5k Run, Saturday, Oct. 1 in Wind Gap.He is asking his community to support his cause, the Semper Fi Fund, with any amount that you can give, from $1, $5, $10."No donation is too small. The need to assist our injured and critically ill service members continues to be great. By contributing to my campaign you will help many service members when they need it the most," says Angelo.He pledged to raise $7,500. He came up with that amount based on the year the US Marine Corps was formed in 1775."I knew I wanted to raise more than $1,775 so I just took the last two numbers of the year and made it $7,500."So far, he as raised $3,516 and has to end of the year to raise the additional $3,984."I am enjoying the 5Ks, because of the Semper Fi Fund. I'm very surprised by the support that I've been getting, especially from the local construction companies I work with."He's enjoying the exercise so much, he's thinking of taking up bicycling next year, hoping it will be something the whole family will participate in.Angelo lives in Kunkletown with his wife, Diane, and two sons, Michael, 7 and Nicholas, 4.If you would like to help Angelo reach his goal to help injured Marines, you can make a donation on line by going to:

www.active.com/donate/sffcommathl2011/stambolis.Or if you'd like to send a check, please have all checks made out to: Semper Fi Fund or SFF. Write "Angelo Stambolis-2011 Campaign" on the check in the memo line. Mail donation to: Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd. Ste 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.Semper Fi Fund will mail a "Thank You" letter which can be used for a tax deduction.You can learn more about the Semper Fi Fund by visiting their website at

www.SemperFiFund.org and visit Support through Sport on Facebook.