Gym classic makes comeback to benefit service members

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

KINGSLAND — Drop and give me 20. Or 10. Or just one.

“It’s not how many you do, really,” said Charlotte Dilworth, owner of Kingsland Health and Fitness. “It’s really just about doing something to help out our service members and veterans.”

Dilworth is hosting a Pushups for Charity event at the fitness center, 2132 RR 1431, on June 6 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

During the event, people just come in at any time during those hours and knock out as many pushups as they can in 90 seconds.

“I don’t care how you do them, on your knees, on your toes — we just want people to come out and do them,” Dilworth said.

Participants raise money by taking pledges or just straight donations for the event.

Pushups for Charity started four years ago through the Boot Campaign. The Boot Campaign came about in 2009 as a way to promote patriotism and raise awareness of what military members face during and following their service. The organization also provides assistance for military personnel — both current and former — as well as their families.

The Boot Campaign offers emergency financial assistance to military personnel for numerous needs from housing to even groceries.

The Boot Campaign kicked off Pushups for Charity on Armed Forces Day, May 16, and will continue it through Sept. 19. During that time, teams, individuals and organizations will participate in Pushups for Charity events across the country such as the one at Kingsland Health and Fitness.

“It’s just an easy way for people to come out and help out our military members,” Dilworth said. “Even if you can’t do one, you can still participate.”

People are already signing up to participate. Several of her club members have joined the challenge.

“I have a boot camp for 65-years-and-older ladies, and they’re going to do it,” she said. “It’s all to help our veterans.”

While many people may have dropped pushups from their workout routine in favor of other exercises, the gym classic still offers quite a few health benefits. That’s why it’s still used by the military and one of the reasons the Boot Campaign chose it for the fundraising event.

Dilworth’s advice to those returning to the exercise to participate in the Pushups for Charity is simple.

“Just start doing them,” she said. “Don’t worry if you can only get one, just start. I tell people to start on their knees and just work at them.”

During the event June 6, people don’t have to schedule a time during the 11 a.m.-1 p.m. window, but just show up. And Kingsland Health and Fitness will even provide a counter to keep track of your pushups during the 90 seconds. Dilworth added that people don’t have to keep doing pushups the entire 90 seconds but do as many as they can, take a quick break and do some more until the timer runs out.

People can stop by Kingsland Health and Fitness to pick up a pledge sheet or call Dilworth at (325) 388-0733, and she’ll email you one.

Go to www.pushupsforcharity.com and www.bootcampaign.com for more information on the Boot Campaign.

daniel@thepicayune.com