Local Fitness Studio Raises over $25,000 for Veterans

STONINGTON, CT -- On June 13, 2015, Team Fitnostics held it’s 5th Annual Sweat for Soldiers event, aimed at improving fitness locally, while also raising money and awareness for Veterans and their families across the nation. Everyday people from our community gathered together to purchase raffle prizes donated by sponsoring businesses; volunterred to be ‘official counters’ for participants; or to perform in the fitness portion of the challenge by doing squat jumps and pushups.

Participants and spectators alike were inspired by local 29 year old Veteran, Chris Strickland, who resides in Waterford, CT who was the Guest Speaker for the event. Strickland shared his personal story of serving, sacrificing and recovering.

During the event Strickland said, “I spent 5-years in the (US) Army. Three years deployed, and two in the hospital. I like how you brought up sacrifice because everybody today is sacrificing to be here and to support people who sacrifice everyday.” He also said, “I don’t think a lot of people understand the sacrifices we make over there. You see it in the movies or even in the news but they don’t show it all. They don’t show us going 86 hours with no sleep, carrying 100-lb, meanwhile there are 100 people shooting at you and there’s only four of you. What we do, we do it because we don’t want innocent people being hurt. It’s about protecting innocent people!”

Strickland was very impressed with the turnout and went on to explain the importance of community and support events and causes such as the Fitnostics Sweat for Soldiers. To see the full video visit the Fitnostics Facebook Page.

This family-friendly event was short and sweet, lasting just a little over 1-hour. Don’t let that fool you though because the participants worked hard to earn the money friends and family had sponsored them for. After an impressive rendition of the US National Anthem by NYC Pop Star Roger Ortega, contestants took their places to exercise. Everyone helped countdown to the start and the energy in the Fitnostics Studio practically exploded as the buzzer sounded!

The teams gave their best and did a total of 1,851 reps in intervals of 90 seconds each. All of this is of course in honor of how each and everyone of our soldiers push themselves beyond what is comfortable on a daily basis. That is 3-minutes total sweat time to help make a big difference in support our troops! The $4,000+ raised last Saturday brings the combined donations to MORE than $25,000 from the last few years. All the proceeds from the event are donated to the Wounded Warrior Project (c): a program that supports wounded service people and their families. WWP (c) is a 501c3 registered organization in the great USA.

Bethany Perry, Fitnostics Owner, and Founder of this local event said, “One of the unique parts of this event is that anyone can join in. You do not have to train for months or be a super ‘fit’ individual. You simply have to be willing to give 100% effort! It truly lines up with our company philosophy that any one of us can make a difference, but that together we can achieve more. That’s true fitness, and in life.”

Perry originally started the event for her brother when he left for Boot Camp, and when faced with either worrying about ’what if’ or being proactive about making a difference. It’s obvious Perry chose to take action. Additionally, one of the company core values is ’kaizen’: A philosophy of continuous improvement by making positive changes on a regular basis.

The spectators and participants went from cheering enthusiastically to shedding some tears to the truly touching moments - from sweating to celebrating, as Perry says. To find out how to help make Team Fitnostics reach their goal of $5,000 this year you can visit www.CrowdRise.com/SFS2015 to make an online contribution. Each and every dollar helps, and all contributors receive a receipt directly from the Wounded Warrior Project (c) for your support and tax records.

In addition to the Fitnostics prizes awarded, additional prizes were awarded in the following categories:

• Most Reps (Male): 1st Place: Joe Lyons, New London, CT (192); 2nd Place: Paul Gray, Pawcatuck, CT (161)
• Most Reps (Female): 1st Place: Lisa Digby, Mystic, CT (174); 2nd Place: Jesse Neff, Mystic, CT (162)

• Most Contribution Funds Raised: Paula Teixeira, Mystic, CT

Fitnostics was also very thankful to local sponsors: Angie’s Pizza, Artistic Acoustics, Chikumbuso, Derma Faire, J. Lamontagne Photography, Jen Huntley LulaRoe, Kitchen Little, Mystic Aquarium, Octagon, Roger Ortega, Watch Hill Garage and WCNI Radio.

For more information about future events or to get involved with Fitnostics Fitness Programs, please contact Fitnostics at (860) 245-8381 or via email at Support@Fitnostics.com.