A local gym is putting on a unique burpee based fundraiser for a local non-profit.
Hal Kreisel, one of the owners of downtown Victoria’s Forge Training, was looking for a way to help B.C.’s growing overdose crisis.
“There’s kind of silent epidemic going on with people and substance abuse especially within our community,” says Kreisel.
“We’re very privileged in the sense that not only are we able to have our gym open but we’re able to do something that’s accessible and relatively easy for people to give back and to be a part of,” adds Kreisel.
Enter Forge’s 2,500 Burpees for $2,500 fundraiser. It’s a virtual pledge challenge that will see Hal complete 1000 burpees in 2 hours, with other gym members joining in joining in via Zoom to boost the total.
“Burpees you can do anywhere, anytime and with the advent of online training the ability for people to work remotely it seemed like the ideal way to get people involved with a good cause,” says Kreisel.
The money raised will benefit the Umbrella Society, which has helped people struggling with substance abuse on the island for 20 years.
“Forge has been a supporter of Umbrella now for some time now and just an organization being generous enough to think of us and raise funds is massive and it really helps to bring awareness to the work we’re doing and awareness to the challenges that are out there,” says Umbrella Society team leader Evan James.
As for how Hal is feeling ahead of the challenge.
“As long as I take it one burpee at a time, one second at a time, one minute at a time it won’t be a problem,” smiles Kreisel.
The event runs from 8 to 11 this Saturday. To participate or donate visit 2,500 Burpees for $2,500 on Facebook by clicking here. A GoFundMe for the event has also been set up and can be visited by clicking here.
Cole Sorenson
