Sault College students raise funds for hospital while getting fit

The seventh annual Sault College Fit-A-Thon is a semester-long project that Tyler Colombi and his team have dedicated themselves to and it’s finally taking place today, Wednesday, March 9 from 7 - 9 p.m.

While the event is free, the 23-year-old Fitness and Health Promotion student, along with his teammates, Erin Young and Riya Amin, and his Community Integration Through Co-operative Education Learning Specialist, Maria Kahtava have chosen the Sault Area Hospital Foundation to be the recipient of all donations made.

“We want to help the hospital,” said Colombi enthusiastically, “and make people sweat!”

The goal behind this year’s fit-a-thon is to encourage a healthy lifestyle and find creative ways to keep active, even without the high-tech workout equipment.

“Tyler’s been researching all sorts of ways that people can stay fit and even some clever alternatives to lifting weights,” said Kahtava. 

With a vigorous nod, Colombi chimes in, “They can use laundry detergents, water bottles, heavy cans…”

As the fit-a-thon continues, there will be live raffles for prizes donated by local businesses, all in favour of helping to raise health awareness and raise money for the foundation. 

Prizes include one free ice climbing or rock climbing adventure from Superior Exploration and a signed book from Shaun Parent, a gift certificate to Legs & Kegs Fitness Club for two weeks of unlimited classes, as well as donations by Fit Bodies, Fit Minds, the Wellness Store, Rome's Independent Grocer, Sport Chek, The Refinery, Bucci's Place and more. 

“So many people have come together to make this a success, even the instructors volunteered to help lead the workouts,” said Kahtava. 

The event consists of four different exercise styles consisting of about 20 minutes each: a Box-Fit led by Heather, Dance-fit led by Lisa, a Tabata led by Young, a student and fellow organizer, and a full-body workout led by Amin. 

Colombi will be demonstrating any modified movements and seated versions for any participants with limited mobility. He will also be leading the warm-up and cool down to songs from the likes of Eric Clapton and Mr. Vain. 

He suggests wearing leggings or shorts, “Something easy to move in.” 

“Tyler has been working his butt off,” said Kahtava with pride. “Especially with getting donations and promoting with flyers, a Facebook page and radio ads,” she said. 

All donations made to the event will go towards helping Sault Area Hospital Foundation. 

Colombi hopes everyone who signs on knows that by participating in any way, they’re helping their local community and promoting health in general. 

With a laugh and fist pump, Colombi exclaims, “I’m all fired up for this man! It’s cool!” 

The Sault College Fit-A-Thon will take place online, through MS Teams.

To register or donate to the event, message [email protected]. A 'Teams' link will be sent out upon registering for the event.