Local New Jersey Business Owners Offer the Gift of Fun & Food To Help Fight Hunger

Dec. 21, 2009 - PRLog -- They may own four Little Gyms but these two fitness experts have plans for a much  bigger impact this holiday season.  Jeff Freeman and Ian Axelrod, co-owners of The Little Gym franchises in New York City (http://www.thelittlegym.com/scarsdaleny/Pages/default.aspx) , Scarsdale (http://www.thelittlegym.com/scarsdaleny/Pages/default.aspx), and Port Washington, NY (http://www.thelittlegym.com/portwashingtonny/Pages/default.aspx) and Waldwick, NJ (http://www.thelittlegym.com/waldwicknj/Pages/default.aspx) are partnering with local nonprofit organizations in each gym's community in raising money to combat hunger.
With each new online registration for the upcoming winter semester Freeman and Axelrod have agreed to donate $25.00 to a local charity in the gym's community on behalf of the purchasing family.  
“Since our business is focused on children, it was really important for us to find organizations that provide services for children and families. It is difficult to wrap my head around the fact that child hunger is an epidemic in our area,” states Mr. Freeman.  According to a 2007 report by The Food Bank of New York City more than one out of every five children (397,000) in New York City relies on soup kitchens and food pantries as a food source. This is 48% more children than the number who relied on emergency food in 2004. A more recent 2009 study by the New York Coalition Against Hunger shows that the number of New Yorkers forced to use New York City’s soup kitchens and food pantries soared by 21%, illustrating that the demand is on the rise.
After reading the startling facts, Mr. Freeman and Mr. Axelrod agreed they would use their upcoming winter 2010 registration period to spotlight the local problems with hunger and reinvest in the communities around them by allowing families to give the gift of fun and food.  (http://tlgwaldwick.com)
“Many parents prefer  to register their children online for a semester of classes rather than coming in to the gym so we wanted to build the donation opportunity directly into that process,” said Mr. Freeman. “Interested parents or caregivers simply go to the participating charity’s website and click on the Give the Gift of Fun and Food button on the homepage.”
“This is our first attempt at fundraising, so we don’t quite know what to expect.  We’re hoping the families in the community use the opportunity to set an example for their children on the joy of giving. In return for their generosity, we at The Little Gym promise to give another great semester of fun physical activity to the kids.” states Mr. Axelrod.  
The programs that the gyms are partnering with are: The New York City Coalition Against Hunger (www.nyccah.org) The Westchester Coalition for Hunger and Homeless (www.foodshelterclothes.org), Island Harvest (www.islandharvest.org) and Center for Food Action (www.cfanj.org).  
"The Center for Food Action is grateful to Jeff Freeman and Ian Axelrod, co-owners of The Little Gym, for organizing this wonderful fundraiser that will directly help local children and their families who are at risk of hunger," stated Patricia Espy, CFA's Executive Director.
Freeman and Axelrod hope to raise $10,000, or $2,500 per organization by January 15, 2010.  Additionally, they hope to generate permanent awareness about each of these organizations for their patrons. If successful, the fundraising campaign can result in an ongoing source of revenue for the charities throughout the year.
For more information about the participating Little Gym’s contact:

www.tlgportwaldwick.com or 201-445-4444

About The Little Gym
The Little Gym was founded in 1976 by Robin Wes, an innovative educator with a genuine love for children.  The Little Gym’s sequential children’s motor skill development program was created to help children develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially, giving children the confidence they need for a lifetime of success.
The Little Gym environment is strictly non-competitive, focusing on creating fun, positive experiences.  Classes are designed for children in infancy up to 12 years and include gymnastics, parent/child classes, sports skill development and karate.  Summer/holiday camps and birthday parties are available.  
The Little Gym International, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ was formed in 1992 in order to franchise The Little Gym concept.  Today, The Little Gym International has over 275 franchises in 18 countries.  

About Center for Food Action
Founded in 1976, the Center for Food Action in New Jersey (CFA) has as its mission, "preventing hunger and homelessness and improving the lives of individuals and families living in poverty." To this end, CFA provides emergency food packages, rental and utility assistance, counseling, advocacy and other essential services to those in need living in northern New Jersey.

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