Jake Romphf
Sarnia is set to sweat on Saturday when the 6th annual Noelle’s Gift of Fitness stages multiple fitness and workout events at venues all across the city.
Opening ceremonies kick off with 7 a.m. sunrise yoga at Inner Dawn Yoga and continues from 8 a.m. to noon with bootcamps, yoga and other activities at Groupworks, The Studio, Ironworks Fitness, Bluewater Boxing, Goodlife Fitness and Sharky’s Athletic Club.
The focus then shifts to Canatara Park for a free “We Kids” event where children of participating families can try boxing, Zumba, an obstacle course and other fun activities from noon to 2 p.m.
The first Noelle’s Gift of Fitness was held at Goodlife Fitness in 2013 with just 150 participants. In five years, the charity’s flagship event has raised more than $300,000 to support local children.
“By opening it up to the different venues, clubs and gyms, there’s more of an opportunity for people to participate, making it a community-wide event instead of just an individual one,” said organizer Cathy Robertson.
A new feature this year is a beach volleyball tournament at Hiawatha, including a barbeque lunch and an after party at the London Road Refined Fool.
Noelle’s Gift of Fitness was launched to honour the memory of Noelle Paquette, who was killed in 2013. Paquette was a Sarnia elementary school teacher who provided meals, school supplies and clothing to students in need.
The money raised has been used to support school programs, social services, student nutrition and Noelle’s Gift family fun days.
And Noelle’s Gift is planning a larger fitness expo at the Lambton College Events Centre next April, Robertson said.
“We’re going to have upwards of over 250 people participating just in one location. We’re hoping to bring a fitness expo to Sarnia like they’ve never seen before.”
For event schedules and to register for Noelle’s Gift of Fitness visit the webpage https://noellesgift.ca/