While hitting the big 4-0 might instill dread in some people, Dave Fischer is taking it in stride.

“Turning 40 always seems like it’s such a big deal,” said the Romeoville resident and director of elementary ministries at Bolingbrook’s Westbrook Christian Church.

“So I thought I’d do something crazy instead of having it being a negative thing.”

Fischer will celebrate his birthday this Saturday by running 40 miles at Waterfall Glen in Darien in order to get 40 children sponsored through Team World Vision.

“It's a 9.5 mile loop and I'll run it four times and then tack on a couple miles at the end,” Fischer said. “Thirty-five other people will come out to run or bike different sections of the course. It's not a race, just kind of a fun run.”

Fundraisers through Team World Vision help to provide clean water to children and communities in Africa.

Initially Fischer started running about six years ago to lose weight.

“I just started in my garage, running in place,” he said. “Then I got the bug and started to like it. Once I left the garage and ran some trails I thought, ‘This is a lot more fun.’”

Soon he was signing up for area races.

About four years ago he got involved with Team World Vision.

“It was kind of a cool transition how it all happened,” he said. “I heard about what they were doing and I work with kids here at our church so it was cool to hear other ways to get involved and help children around the world. It’s just a matter of putting on a pair of shoes and getting out and running.”

Last fall, Fischer and a group of more than 40 area runners competed in the Chicago Marathon and raised more than $30,000 for water projects in Magamba, Tanzania.

Currently, Fischer has been able to get 28 children sponsored and is still hoping to reach his goal of 40 by Saturday.

Those interested in sponsoring a child can still do so by sending him an email at dave.fischer@westbrookchurch.org.