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Coquitlam gym's year-long $5K fundraising goal hopes to feed local families in need

A new sports day-themed event has CrossFit CBC excited to finally host an in-person fundraiser for the first time since COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased.
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer

Lifting weights and lifting spirits.

Local families living in poverty may soon have more food at their tables thanks to a Coquitlam gym that's gearing up to host its first in-person fundraiser since COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in B.C. have eased.

CrossFit CBC is putting on a friendly sports-day competition, known as Summer Luvin' 2022, in which its members and local partners will have to complete a series of workouts, including rowing and kettlebell swings.

It's part of a year-long $5,000 fundraising effort by the local business with proceeds benefiting Backpack Buddies — a program that helps feed children from low-income families.

The non-profit organization provides a bag of about nine meals and snacks to roughly 4,000 families in B.C. every weekend when school programs are no longer available.

CrossFit CBC athlete Jennifer Bowden, who's co-organizing the gym's June 4 event with fellow athlete Christian De Leon and coach Greg Zeitler, says the gym began raising money for Backpack Buddies in the winter.

But because of rules around gyms, it was restricted to members only.

That raised roughly $1,000 for the charity, and now, Bowden tells the Tri-City News the gym is looking forward to interacting with the community and the chance to give back once more.

"Just an overall fun event to get everyone together again for a good cause. [...] just happy to be fundraising as a gym again as we use to fundraise a lot," she says.

"We had an idea early in the year to throw an in-house competition when restrictions came to an end to get back to having fun as a gym and to get the members together for the day as a lot of us were so separate throughout COVID-19."

While the competition is in house, to which CrossFit CBC members are donating to participate in each workout, Bowden hopes the public will also consider giving to the cause.

"Any donations from the public can be dropped off to me at the gym," adds Bowden, "or they can do a cheque to 'Backpack Buddies' and drop off at the gym to include in our donation."

More events for the benefit of Backpack Buddies are in the works for CrossFit CBC, including a beer run and other related activities in the fall and winter, to help get to that $5,000 mark.

The gym's first in-person Sports Day fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday (June 4) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — located at 2731 Barnet Hwy.

Spectators can buy a 50/50 ticket at $20 each with the winner taking home half of the pot.

As well, there's set to be several raffle prizes throughout the day and a BBQ afterwards.

For more information, or if you wish to make a contribution to the fundraiser, you're encouraged to contact CrossFit CBC via its website, by phone at (604) 655-7622 or email [email protected]. 

The gym adds the in-person fundraiser was also made possible through the generosity of several local businesses and partners.

The following have either sponsored or made a donation (in alphabetical order):

  • CBM Lawyers
  • CIMS Ltd.
  • Dairy Queen Port Moody
  • Fraser Mills
  • Meadowridge Plumbing and Gas
  • Popeyes Supplements