Red Cross Resolutions Gym-A-Thon Kickoff Scheduled

Dec. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- The Tri-County Red Cross and Cranford Chamber of Commerce are partnering to help local families get and stay healthy in the New Year, while at the same time raising funds to provide local disaster relief.  The Saturday January 16, 2010 kick-off to the Red Cross Resolutions Gym-A-Thon will include educational presentations from local businesses, boot-camp style fitness activities from The NJ Challenge, and a chance to sign up to support the Red Cross in Union, Somerset and Middlesex counties in New Jersey.

The program kicks off at 11 a.m. at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford, NJ.  

“Red Cross disaster prevention means more than just fire prevention, but also making sure our families are healthy throughout the year,” said Nathan Rudy, the Executive Director of the Tri-County Red Cross.  “The Red Cross Resolutions Gym-A-Thon provides all of us a chance to get a little healthier while replenishing the disaster fund during our most active time providing relief for home fires and other disasters.”

The Red Cross Resolutions Gym-A-Thon is a twist on the traditional walkathon, but participants to get pledges from friends and family based on the distance they walk, run or bike during the week of January 16 to 24th.  Exercise can be anywhere they like, whether in a fitness center using treadmills, ellipticals or stationary bikes; on the road ruing a 5K; or just taking a walk downtown with the kids.  As long as it is exercise, it counts.

“We’re very pleased to be involved with the Red Cross, and helping to provide local disaster relief in Cranford and our neighboring communities,” said Marc Kanterman, coordinator of The NJ Challenge.  “The Red Cross Resolutions Gym-A-Thon fits with our mission to create healthy, vibrant communities through fitness and community involvement.”

More information and a sign up form are at http://www.tricountyredcross.org/gymathon .  Interested participants can also sign up at more than 15 fitness centers and businesses throughout the chapter.

The program includes health presentations and fitness demos.  People who want to participate in the demos should wear exercise clothes and be ready for a vigorous but easy workout.  The schedule is:

11:00 -11:30 a.m. Welcome and Injury Prevention presentation
11:30 – 11:50 a.m. Strength and Conditioning demo (wear sneakers!)
12:00 noon – 12:20 p.m. Nutritional Tips for Health Eating presentation
12:30 – 12:50 p.m. Speed and Agility demo (wear sneakers!)
1:00 – 1:20 p.m. H1N1 Prevention presentation
1:30 – 1:50 p.m. Fun and Games with Fitness (bring kids – and sneakers!)

On average, the Tri-County Red Cross spends $65,000 each winter on disaster relief in its 22 communities.  This includes shelter, food, clothing, material support, storage and other services required to respond to more than 45 home fires and other disasters from November to March each year.

While the Red Cross is mandated by Congressional Charter and the State of New Jersey to respond to disasters, it receives no budget item funding from the government.  Instead, it relies on the generosity of local individuals, organizations and businesses to fund Red Cross community services.

Businesses relating to health, fitness and fun are welcome to participate in the Family Fitness Challenge.  Just call Corinna Krauskopf at the Red Cross offices at (908) 756-6414 or via e-mail at krauskopfc@usaredcross.org .

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The American Red Cross provides disaster prevention and relief, medical transportation, services for armed forces, life-saving first aid/CPR certification and other services to 22 communities in Union, Somerset and Middlesex counties, New Jersey.