Crossfit Pace Patriot Pride raised $1,200 for the ‘31 Heroes' workout of the day, or WOD, fundraiser which recognizes the 30 U.S. military members and one military K-9 who perished in an 2011 Afghanistan helicopter crash.
“We did it last year and we raised like $3,000 dollars for the 31 Heroes project,” said Joey Paladio, who co-owns the local Crossfit location. “This brings more awareness to not only our military service, but also Crossfit too, because Crossfit plays a big part in paying tribute to our fallen.”
CLICK HERE: To view photos from the '31 Heroes' event
Not only does the Crossfit location serve many military families in the area, Paladio said this is just one event the Crossfit location raises awareness and funds for organizations which assist the military men, women and their families in need.
“What a better way to bring people together for fitness and pay tribute to the fallen all in one event,” he said.
Paladio, an active duty military member of the U.S. Army, said the 31 Heroes organization will use the collected funds through various outreach military projects.
According to 31heroes.com, “The project launched an initiative to send a designated number of veterans to distinguished brain centers across the country to receive cutting edge treatment for post traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury.”
In addition to making a contribution to the ‘Heroes,' participants also endured a strenuous workout regimen within a 31-minute time frame. While working in pairs, participants lifted weights, rope climbed, box jumped and ran while carrying sandbags doing as-many-reps-as-possible (AMRAP) for the total amount of time.
While this isn't your average day at a regular gym, Paladio said these participants are capable of handling a physically enduring workout.
“These people are in pretty good shape, so they do this regularly,” he said. “A lot of them are regular members.”
Nearly 50 members participated in this year's event, Paladio said.
Pace resident Karen Brayden, who has been a member of the Pace Crossfit location for a year, partnered with her military husband Tommy, during the event.
Brayden, a stay-at-home mother of three, said the event's exhausting workout is well worth the aches, pain and soreness.
“You realize it is going to be struggle ,” she said. “Your take yourself out of your own mind and your body and you realize why you are doing this, for the military members who gave their lives. You realize any pain you are going through is nothing compared to the pain of losing a loved-one and that hits home as a military spouse.”
Milton resident Kerry Smith, 50, was among the many participants returning for the second 31 Heroes event at the Pace Crossfit. Smith said it was difficult climbing up the ropes with a slight case of arthritis. However, like Brayden, Smith said the pain is worth enduring.
“You are doing it, because they can't do it anymore,” he said. “This is good feeling, I love it.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Local Crossfit raises $1200 for 31 Heroes project