Source: Augie's Quest
Individuals living with ALS are the inspiration behind huge fundraising effort for ALS research
October 8, 2016 – Brooklyn, NY – Health and Fitness club recruited and trained runners to raise a record $415,000 for ALS research on Saturday. Team Quest4ALS is a new Augie’s Quest endurance event program that works with people of all athletic abilities to train for and complete a half-marathon for their first time or their fastest time while committing to a fundraising minimum to benefit amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute.
Engaging in an endurance campaign was the brainchild of Augie’s Quest Fitness Advisory member, Kevin McHugh of the Atlantic Club in New Jersey. “We are all committed to provide those with ALS hope,” said McHugh. “All of us that participated in the Brooklyn Rock n Roll Marathon for Augie’s Quest were emotionally impacted, and excited about what the potential of having increased participation by clubs across the industry could generate for ALS research in future years.”
Matt Bellina of Holland, PA, and Frank Mongiello of Yardley, PA inspired the Newtown Athletic Club to be the top fundraising team raising over $167,000. Jim was pushed by NAC owner Jim Worthington, who was also the top fundraiser raising over $50,000 for ALS research. “Being a part of the Augie’s Quest Half Marathon Team , raising money to find a cure with other club’s members , families and friends from throughout the Country was one of the most fulfilling and moving experiences of my lifetime,” said Worthington.
The Atlantic Club was the second top fundraising team raising over $413,000, and Kevin McHugh was the second top fundraiser at $18,985. The third top fundraising team also had the top average per fundraiser of $5,700 per runner and traveled the furthest – Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club and Team Colorado raised over $52,000. River Valley Athletic Club rallied around Ellen Corindia from New Hampshire and raised $24,068!
Other top fitness teams were: Chelsea Piers CT and NY ($11,558), Crunch Speed Demons ($1,425), MYZONE ($4,000), Prairie Life Fitness ($2,765), Active Wellness ($1,425), and Life Fitness ($1,802).
The top fundraisers were provided incentives from Nike, a Team Quest4ALS sponsor. In addition to Jim and Kevin, the top fundraisers were: Kelly Bremme Beauparlant (Team NAC raising $11,757), Deborah Bellina (Team NAC raising $8,625), and Bobbie Werbe (Team Boomtown raising $8,075).
Augie’s Quest was represented by Augie’s wife, Lynne, and his son, Austin, who finished the half-marathon in honor of his dad. Five patients living with ALS attended the event, and inspired all runners to finish. Eric Craven, an ALS Therapy Development Institute board member, cheered on his wife, Claire, and his three children, Elizabeth, Amanda and David who together raised $13,585. Nike trainer Jes Woods helped Claire finish her first half marathon. Michael (Boomer) Wallace watched his cousins Bobbie and Richard, and Uncle Tim finish the race in his honor and raised $12,455.
Funds raised will go towards Augie’s Quest, an aggressive, cure-driven effort focused on finding treatments and cures for ALS. Founder of Augie’s Quest, Augie Nieto says “I’m so thankful for the clubs and individuals that are supporting our inaugural campaign. Before I was diagnosed with ALS, I ran 21 marathons, and it’s so gratifying knowing so many people are supporting our Quest to Cure ALS by fundraising and running. I’m excited that Matt, Frank and Ellen are not letting ALS stop them from participating in the race.”
About Team Quest4ALS
Team Quest4ALS is an endurance event program that brings athletic clubs nationwide together in support of ALS research. The program helps people of all athletic abilities train for and complete a half-marathon for their first time or their fastest time while committing to a fundraising minimum to benefit Augie’s Quest, an aggressive, cure-driven effort focused on finding treatments and cures for ALS. Team Quest4ALS partners with the Competitor Group. For more information about Team Quest4ALS, visit www.classy.org/TeamQuest.
