Two Totally Different Approaches To Fundraising Net Big Bucks

Baristavillians, it seems, find many creative ways to help others out. Take Bangz salon, for example. Last weekend they raised huge bucks with a great big event that included top models and top artists, all working for a good cause--just look at that crowd!Says spokesperson Kara Davis: "We had over 300 people in attendance for our "Show Your Pink" themed event in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And through a small donation raffle, we were able to raise over $1300 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We also had "live mannequins" modeling local merchants and designers during the event, Claire Rosen displayed original photography shot in Bangz and Mayor Fried cut the pink ribbon for our unveiling ceremony for our public art piece commissioned by the Montclair Arts Council." The public art piece is actually the gorgeous door, sculpted by local artist Charlie Spademan.

But wait--there's more! on the other end of the aesthetics scale, there are the hard working fitness buffs sweating it out for wounded veterans of the afghanistan war, and struggling victims of prostate cancer. Over at Guerilla Fitness, they managed to raise a staggering amount to help two great causes. (By the way, "Fight Gone Bad" is just the name of a kind of very strenuous workout that participants perform in order to raise this money.) Actually,I'll just let them describe it themselves:

Guerrilla Fitness Raises $56,886 to Participate in Fight Gone Bad IV Fundraiser
Event Benefits American Troops and Cancer Patients

MONTCLAIR, NJ, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 -- When Montclair resident and CrossFit participant Jon Feigelson stepped up for his 17 minutes of the Fight Gone Bad workout on September 26th, he wasn't competing just for himself. He was raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, benefiting wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq, and Athletes for a Cure, which supports prostate cancer research.

"Guerrilla Fitness was proud to participate in this event," says Gregg Arsenuk, Guerrilla Fitness's Owner. "We are proud of Jon who is the number one fundraiser in the country and alone raised $34,481. Along with our loyal member base Guerrilla Fitness collectively raised $56,886 for American Troops and Cancer Patients."

In the first three editions of the Fight Gone Bad fundraising event CrossFit Affiliates raised more than $1.4 million. Fight Gone Bad is one of the most brutal workouts on the CrossFit menu, and the members of Guerrilla Fitness anted up for the challenge. "Guerrilla Fitness is a strong, supportive, and dedicated group of athletes, who when given a chance to help others in the community will do so in a big way" Arsenuk adds.

Fight Gone Bad took place on Saturday September 26th at Guerrilla Fitness in Montclair and at more than 300 CrossFit Affiliates throughout the United States. Guerrilla Fitness had 37 athletes participate.

"Through their generosity and commitment, CrossFit athletes are making the most of a great fundraising opportunity," said Scott Zagarino, Executive Director of The Sportsgrants Foundation. "These athletes are taking their training to a higher level by providing much-needed support for our troops and the more than 2 million American families dealing with prostate cancer."

By the way, my apologies to all the participants in both of these wonderful events, for not posting these items sooner. I have had ongoing computer problems that prevented me getting them up in a more timely fashion, but both groups did so much good that I felt 'better late than never' was the way to go.