Hercules WALKS Out of Recession

Dec. 8, 2008 - PRLog -- Hercules, CA — Hercules Resident and business owner Jojo Soriano, tired of watching the grim news on TV and newspapers of the global economic challenge, decided to turn the bad news off and become an agent of change. He’s encouraging others to join him in 21 Days of Fitness at the new Hercules Fitness Center to benefit the Hercules Education Foundation. He’s urging everybody to literally WALK out of recession.

On January 3rd, 2009, the residents of Hercules, business owners and their employees will launch the 21 Days of Fitness event at the new Hercules Fitness Center. It’s 21 Days of walking on a treadmill or any cardio machine for 21 minutes to raise $1 a day! Why 21 days? Because it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Plus, 21 minutes is about the right length of exercise for a healthier body. “When I shared the idea to Council member Ed Balico, Mayor Joanne Ward, business owners and residents alike, I received overwhelming support to raise money for the foundation.” according to Mr. Jojo Soriano who has also recently been re-appointed to the Community Services Commission by the City Council of Hercules.

A win win situation
“Many of the folks I spoke to have made it their New Year’s resolution. The event calls for people to recruit 1 or two people to go to the gym together for accountability. Each participant will get at least 5 sponsors each for $1 a day. I think when you decide to do this event and seek out sponsors, you not only have accountability with the people you’re exercising with on a 21-day commitment, but you also have those generous sponsors counting on you to make it to the finish! It’s a win win situation. Our community gets healthier, our employers get a healthier staff and our teachers and students benefit as well,” says Soriano.

“In this time of economic challenge, one of the ways to insure job security is to show your boss that you are healthy and fit to do your job. When you’re exercising, you tend to think and work more creatively and productively. If a company has to downsize because of a recession, managers are more likely to lay off less healthy and less productive employees who tend to call in sick often.” added Soriano.

Some companies are rallying for the cause by paying for half of the membership fees for those employees who’ve joined the Hercules Fitness Center. Soriano is also asking businesses to match the funds raised by employees.

Bringing the community together one step at a time
To Soriano, the idea came about shortly after two of his local clients cancelled or did not renew their contracts. Soriano owns SEEDesign, a Marketing and Design firm located in Hercules. “I can either beat myself over the head or wallow in self-pity, or WHAT IF... I shut off the news on TV, start exercising, and keep on creating.” Choosing the later options, Soriano, who is also a Realtor, got creative and wrote several more ideas on his WHAT IF notebook, one of which is the 21 Days of Fitness. Immediately he contacted Elizabeth Parson, owner and general manager of Hercules Fitness Center who enthusiastically accepted and offered to charge participants a discounted rate, again with the magic number, $21.

“I spoke with some of the board members of the Education Foundation who warmly and gratefully accepted the fund-raiser. Principal Zak of Hercules Middle High School and I spoke about using some of the funds to take a bus load of teachers and students to the Maker Faire at the San Mateo Fairgrounds next May 2009. I think it will help spark creativity and innovation in the hearts and minds of our youth! But the decision has yet to be made by the Board of Directors as to how the funds will be allocated. Isn’t that the kind of change we need in our community - more creative youths, healthier bodies, and funds to make them happen!” says Soriano.

How to get involved?
If you’re an employee or resident, simply sign up online at http://www.herculesfit.com. Pay the $21 gym fee and recruit 2-3 buddies to exercise with. Show your manager that you’ve signed up and share what you’re doing. Ask your manager to match the funds you and your team raise or ask them to sponsor you, or join your team. Collect the money now payable to Hercules Education Foundation, submit all checks on the kick-off date on January 3rd. You and your team can decide what time of the day you want to go together. If you’re a manager or business owner, form a team with employees willing to WALK out of recession, to get fit and support education!

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