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Workout for Water – Les Mills Africa

We are enlisting the help of the entire global Les Mills community, urging clubs and instructors to help create the single biggest fundraising effort the fitness industry has ever seen.

We are working to raise millions of dollars to support the invaluable work UNICEF is doing in Africa – the life-saving assistance the organisation is providing to people, and in particular refugee and displaced children, across the trouble hotspots in this region. Our key focus is to provide clean, safe water to all those in desperate need.

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Creating a sustainable community in Ethiopia Sasiga Lowlands, Ethiopia

Since Fifth Avenue Club opened in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1996, it has developed a local reputation for setting the standard for “friendly, personalized service”. On the other side of the world in Ethiopia, it has become known for supporting a sustainable development project that has changed the lives of over 40,000 people, in nine villages, in the Belo region of Ethiopia. The club, owned by Darren Kanwischer, has been involved with Food for the Hungry (FH) since June of 2007. Three dollars of each member’s dues are donated to Belo each month. Fifth Avenue Club has also donated proceeds from the sale of old equipment, held a 10k fundraising run (“Run for Belo”),  had members fund raise among themselves and are currently involved with “Run for Water” in Calgary, Alberta.

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Improving health for obese youth in disadvantaged Boston neighborhoods Boston , Massachusetts, USA

Healthworks Community Fitness (HCF) is seeking the generous support of Gymtopia for a dynamic and innovative program dedicated to youth wellness. Fitspiration (Healthy Inspiration meets Perspiration!) empowers youth ages 5-12 from the Boston neighborhoods of Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan to take charge of their own health and wellness through a structured, medical-based fun afterschool program. Fitspiration meets 3 days per week, for one hour per age group, 180 minutes of physical fitness per week. Youth are engaged in a progressive fitness training class for a duration of 6 weeks, where many re-enroll throughout the year. Evaluation through pre/post tests show an increase in physical fitness and endurance in addition to a better understanding of nutrition, healthy eating and decision making.

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Franco’s – The remarkable health club that never says no Mandeville, Louisiana, USA

This is the story of how Franco’s Athletic Club located in the American state of Louisiana is using generosity to become one of the world’s most admired health clubs. It is written by Ray Algar, founder of Gymtopia.

I first met Sandy Franco, one of the co-owners, when she was presenting at the 2013 IHRSA European Congress in Madrid. Her message was a simple one: Invest in your community and the community will invest in your club. Sandy and Ron, her husband, have consistently pursued this strategy for 26 years.

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