Manalapan Fitness Studio Raises $27K For Suicide Prevention

MANALAPAN, NJ - This Central Jersey fitness facility doesn’t believe just physical health is important - its owners place a hefty weight on mental health as well.

During Max of Old Bridge and Manalapan’s annual charity event - where staff, members and communities select a 501c charity to raise funds and awareness for - owners Rich and Maureen Bruno decided to pull their efforts for suicide prevention, as the coronavirus pandemic placed the country's mental health crisis at the forefront. In fact, suicide still serves as the tenth leading cause of death in the nation.

On May 15, Max of Old Bridge and Manalapan led a Virtual 5K with well over 200 participants, selling an additional 300 shirts and raffling off prizes donated from the community. After joining forces with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Max staff leaders Alexandra Candido and Melissa Godaire, the fitness facility counted a total $27,000 raised during the event.

“We had to close our doors for many months but one thing we knew was that we were finishing this fundraiser no matter what, it was never more needed especially from this pandemic,” Maureen Bruno told Patch. “We saw too many people from our communities die from suicide and [we witnessed] the suffering of their families … the statistics are heart wrenching. With the rise in death by suicide and mental health issues, it truly is a community issue. Recognizing the number of individuals who pass through our doors and are touched by suicide, we wanted to bring awareness, education and light to this epidemic.”

“As a Max Challenge of Old Bridge member for more than seven years, and a volunteer with the AFSP, this event has special meaning to me,” said Old Bridge resident Maria Bellino. “Both organizations have helped me cope with grief after losing my brother to suicide in July 2018. The Max is filled with instructors and members who push you to be your best physically and mentally. After losing my brother, I made AFSP a key resource in my life and have been volunteering with the NJ Chapter at Community Walks to support other local communities.”

MAX is a nationally recognized fitness brand that offers a 10-week fitness and nutrition combination program. There are currently over 50 national branches, with over 20 in New Jersey.

“We are forever grateful and proud of our communities support to help break this stigma that surrounds mental illness,” Bruno added. “If we helped or can help even one at- risk person or bring comfort to a family then we have conquered our mission.”

For more information, visit www.themaxchallenge.com.