Lunges for Links Recap

 
Lunges for Links was spawned shortly after I was appointed to the Board of Directors of Links - North Shore Youth Health Service in August 2010.  Links is an agency located in Northfield, IL and has been serving young people in the surrounding suburban areas (ages 13-25) since the early 1970's.  Links is a non-for-profit organization aimed at empowering young people to make informed, responsible decisions about their health, well-being, and sexuality.  It provides health education in schools and the community, medical care and counseling, and support services for sexual minority youth.  It also has an on-site medical clinic serviced by volunteers in the medical industry (doctors, med. students, nurses, etc.).  Although I had never heard of Links prior to being asked to join the Board, having four younger sisters in high school and college certainly made this seem like a good cause!

My good friend, Emily, and her father both serve on the board.  Her father has served on the board for nearly 20 years and is also the lead physician in Links' clinic.  Emily approached me over the summer about possibly serving on the Board as they were targeting young, male professionals with a financial background.  I met with the co-presidents of the organization in August and we all decided I would be a good fit.  My first board meeting was later that month and the rest is history.

 

Emily and I now help run the fundraising committee and Lunges for Links was our first event together.  Given my affiliation with Atlas CrossFit as a coach, we wanted our first event to have some sort of fitness or CrossFit type of challenge, targeting young adults (ages 25-40).  The main site WOD of 400 meter walking lunge for time seemed to be the most appealing (and thanks to Emily for coming up with the name Lunges for Links!).  Our initial intention was to have this be a CrossFit community event in that other boxes around Chicago would send their members to compete for the top prizes.  Unfortunately, with only two months to plan the event, and even less time to market it, it didn't turn into the blowout event we envisioned.  However, I was EXTREMELY pleased with the turnout nonetheless, and very thankful to the Atlas athletes who came to participate. The advanced men's heat was a sight to see!

Todd Knief (left) and Chris Draska (right) battle for position in the first few minutes of the men's advanced heat.  Congratulations to Chris for taking home the men's top prize with a $100 gift certificate to Trader Joe's!  Chris was the overall winner of the event, with a time of 8:58 on the 400 meter lunge.  Very impressive.




Josh Zadikoff maintains solid form in his stretch to the end line during the men's intermediate heat.  I think we have to make you redo that last lunge Zadi!


When all was said and done, we had 17 participants complete the lunges, nearly 40 spectators on hand, and raised just over $2,000 for Links!  There were Links pens, Links brochures, and assorted color condoms with Links stickers scattered all over the tables.  We had amazing granola bars from one sixtyblue, snacks and drinks donated from the PepsiCo Foundation, water from the Orloff dealership, beer and bloody mary's, and great prizes for the winners.  We also had a fantastic volunteer DJ, Peter Turim aka DJPT, and plenty of help from the Atlas CrossFit guys who were enthused and supportive.  Nice job fellas!  And much thanks to the Links Board, our sponsors, and everyone else who helped put this event together. 

I think it's safe to say everyone had a blast. Planning for next year is already underway!  For more great pictures you can check out the Links Facebook page here.  You can also check out my YouTube Channel here for a few more videos.  Any and all suggestions to enhance the event the next time around are welcome!

Thanks again to those who came out and/or donated to Links,

-Stick