Once upon a time, school fundraisers consisted of magazine drives and bake sales, and students were rewarded with ice cream and pizza parties.  At the same time, big charities were hosting walk-a-thons and swim-a-thons: events in which adults would find sponsors to financially back them while they exercised for a good cause.  Eventually kids became more involved through trike-a-thons and jump-rope-a-thons.

In recent months I’ve experienced the happy hybrid of these two approaches: schools and organizations using exercise as fundraisers and incentives all in one.  A nearby school, Our Lady of the Lake, raises funds with its annual student walk-a-thon and a weekly Zumba class which is packed to the gills with grown-ups and children alike.  The Singing Angels are preparing to host an evening of yoga, and an upcoming Zumbathon in Willoughby will benefit the Lake Humane Society, among other charities.

Since changing my motto from “Anything for a t-shirt” to “Anything for a good cause,” I’ve reaped the benefit of exercising with supporters of good causes (optimists!), and not worrying about a surplus of t-shirts.  I hope to see this health-through-fundraising trend continue!