THE GYM Fundraiser Helps Improve NJ Veteran's Home

As Memorial Day approaches it’s important to honor not only those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, but to also help those veterans who suffered service related disabling injuries.

Last November, THE GYM hosted several events to raise money for Homes for Veterans, a non-profit organization dedicated to adapting disabled veterans’ homes to make them handicap accessible and barrier free. Now, the $12,000 raised and donated by THE GYM has helped restore and make necessary improvements to the Newark, NJ home of Sergeant James Bellamy.

“I was honored to meet Air Force veteran, Sgt. James Bellamy a decorated patriot and thank him for his extraordinary devotion to duty during the Vietnam War,” MSgt James Siletti, USAF Retired, 22 years active duty and personal trainer at THE GYM. “ The Gym staff and members displayed true grit in rallying to make a difference for a fellow American in need.”

Bellamy, a Vietnam veteran, suffered a service-related spinal injury that resulted in subsequent complications and illnesses. His disability left him unable to walk, requiring him to rely on an electric scooter as his primary means of transportation. The wooden porch of Sgt. Bellamy’s older home had badly deteriorated over time and was straining under the weight of his scooter.

“Sgt. Bellamy served his country with honor. He was there when we needed him to protect us and now, we had the opportunity to show him we appreciate his service,” said Doug
DiPaolo, Founder of Homes for Veterans. “It warms my heart to see how much the employees and members of THE GYM care for our troops, and how much they respect our veterans for their service.”

Using the money raised by THE GYM’s month-long November fundraiser, a contractor hired by Homes for Veterans recently completed a $16,450 renovation to repair the front porch of Sgt. Bellamy’s home. The repairs to the porch augmented the recent installation of a mechanized wheelchair lift funded by the Veteran’s Administration.

“We had a great time hosting these fundraising events for Homes for Veterans and it’s so wonderful to see all they were able to do for Sergeant Bellamy as a result. We’d love to help do the same for another veteran soon,” said Lisa Bruchalski, Group Fitness Director at THE GYM of Montvale.

Nurit Chasman, Group Fitness Director at THE GYM of Englewood added, “We were so pleased to have a hand in contributing to this very important cause, and seeing the improvements that Homes for Veterans was able to make to Sergeant Bellamy’s home makes it all worthwhile. We look forward to collaborating with them again in the future.”

Homes For Veterans is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization whose mission is to adapt the homes of disabled veterans to make them handicap accessible and barrier free. Based in Harrington Park, New Jersey, Homes for Veterans helps disabled veterans who are unable to secure the necessary resources to modify their homes to accommodate their disabilities.

Homes for Veterans
105 Highland Avenue
Harrington Park, NJ 07640
201-660-8364
http://www.homesforveterans.us

THE GYM is a complete lifestyle and fitness center, designed to promote healthy living in a first class atmosphere. Its unique approach integrates specialized training programs with nutrition and weight management counseling for total body conditioning and optimal fitness. THE GYM is known for its superior quality equipment, expert staff and special amenities, including a juice bar, spa and child play area. The staff’s attentive service and the facility’s array of programs and services provide guests with a state-of-the-art experience.

THE GYM Montvale
2 Chestnut Ridge Road
Montvale, NJ 07645
201-802-9399
http://www.GetToTheGym.com/montvale

THE GYM of Englewood
20 Nordhoff Place
Englewood, NJ 07631
201-567-9399
http://www.GetToTheGym.com/englewood

Photos:

1. Left to right: ” MSgt James Siletti, USAF Retired, 22 years active duty and personal trainer, THE GYM; Sgt. James Bellamy; Doug Di Paolo, Founder, Homes for Veterans.

2. Sgt. James Bellamy’s deck before the renovation.

3. Sgt. James Bellamy’s deck after the renovation.

4. Sgt. James Bellamy enjoying his new deck.