Congratulations to Island Athletic Club in Freeland, Washington, and Gold's Gym in Boise, Idaho! BODYJAM™ Program Director Gandalf “G” Archer is on his way to both clubs to deliver an unforgettable Masterclass as reward for their Dance4Life 2009 fundraising efforts.
“Les Mills kept telling us the winner would be announced soon,” says Island Athletic Club group fitness director Chizue Rudd. “Finally the call came. We had managed to raise more money for Dance4Life than any other club in the world! ‘G’ is on his way and will be here August 17. It’s certain to be a treat for all BODYJAMmers – instructors and club members.”
Dance4Life operates in 20 countries and encourages young people to push back the spread of HIV and AIDS through education and events centered on dance and music.
This is the third year that Les Mills has promoted Dance4Life by licensing a music track – especially created for the charity – and including it on a quarterly release of BODYJAM™ that goes out to 3,740 health clubs around the world.
Island Athletic Club raised US$5,116 among its community of 12,000 residents and 2,600 club members. The club combined a fundraiser with a Dance4Life-themed BODYJAM™ re-launch, and then held a four-week silent auction, says Rudd.
The BODYJAM™ team at Gold’s Gym Boise raised US$4,600 and won joint first place both for finishing a close second and because the club had raised the most money for Dance4Life in the previous two years.
“Although we had great success with our previous two Dance4Life events, this year was especially important and empowering,” says Gold’s Gym Boise’s area group exercise director, Pauline Downey. “We gained an even stronger bond of friendship, love and passion for why we all got into this business to begin with!”
Gold's Gym Boise launched its Dance4Life campaign with a silent auction. The club raised several hundred dollars more with an “I Heart BODYJAM™ & Dance4Life” event on Valentine's Day, featuring a raffle and a 105-minute Dance4Life music mix.