INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 17, 2010 – Since 2001, gymnastics clubs across the country have raised more than $1.3 million for Children’s Miracle Network. This year, gym clubs and their members raised nearly $116,000 as part of their celebrations for National Gymnastics Day through open house events and the Tyson Fitness Challenge, a joint initiative of USA Gymnastics and Tyson Foods that helped kids become more physically active through fun activities. The monies raised are distributed to each gym club’s local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, which helps children around the country who are fighting illness.
"USA Gymnastics appreciates everything the gymnastics community does to help make a difference in the lives of young kids who really need it," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "The Children’s Miracle Network is a great organization that helps save the lives of kids every day, and we are proud that National Gymnastics Day celebrations can benefit such a worthwhile cause."
For the fourth consecutive year, the top fund-raising club is Gymnastics World Inc. of Broadview Heights, Ohio, which raised $26,925 for Children’s Miracle Network this year. The club’s efforts once again were led by Abby Villenauve, the individual fund-raising winner for the last two years who brought in $9,630 of this year’s total. The top three clubs and individual participants receive prizes from AAI, Tyson, and USA Gymnastics. They will also be featured in both USA Gymnastics and Technique magazines in January.
The top three clubs and individuals that raised the most money for Children’s Miracle Network in 2010 are listed below.
Clubs
Gymnastics World, Broadview, Ohio, $26,925
Northern Elite, Flanders, N.J, $20,770
California Sports Centers, San Jose, Calif., $14,323
Individuals
Abby Villenauve, Broadview, Ohio, Gymnastics World, $9,630
Mary Kate Cacchione, Flanders, N.J., Northern Elite, $7,445
Emma Timblin, N.J., Northern Elite, $4,428
Established in 1999, National Gymnastics Day is a platform to showcase the many benefits of gymnastics, as well as promote the ideals of physical fitness and community service nationwide. USA Gymnastics and its gym clubs began raising funds for Children’s Miracle Network through National Gymnastics Day in 2001, and the Tyson Fitness Challenge became the fundraising platform in 2006.
Geared toward kids, ages 4-16, the Tyson Fitness Challenge uses gymnastics skills to help kids become more physically fit and to learn about a well-balanced diet. The culmination of the Tyson Fitness Challenge is voluntary participation in raising funds for Children’s Miracle Network. Participants and clubs obtain pledges for achieving a set number of elements in a specified time, whether it is fitness-related skills, cartwheels, flips, etc.
Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals. Countless individuals, 90 organizations and 400 media partners unite with Children’s Miracle Network hospitals to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to Children’s Miracle Network create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children each year. To learn more go to ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.