For the third Veteran’s Day in a row, CrossFit Skylands in Sparta, NJ, hosted their annual DT’s Row2 Hold Event to raise money for veterans.
At the time of this article’s publication, they had already raised $22,105, which is just under $3,000 shy of their $25,000 fundraising goal. Last year, they raised $16,000.
The Details
All of the proceeds will be donated to Big Fish Foundation, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for veterans to form meaningful connections, grow as individuals, and serve others. One of the main goals is to prevent veteran suicide by giving them tools to thrive before they experience crises.
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The Event
This year’s Veteran’s Day event involved a unique three-person workout that took on the Big Fish Foundation’s three pillars — connection, service, and growth — and demanded more than just physical fitness.
- One teammate started by putting together a 250-piece jigsaw puzzle, representing the Big Fish Foundation’s “connection” pillar. At the same time, another rowed for distance (the “service” pillar), and the third tackled an escalating dumbbell complex (the “growth” pillar).
Athletes switched positions once the dumbbell complex was complete, and the total score was the meters on the rowing machine. However, a bonus was awarded to teams that performed well on the jigsaw puzzle.
The Big Picture
CrossFit has always been about community, and affiliates like CrossFit Skylands continued to prove the power of community this Veteran’s Day.
It costs the Big Fish Foundation $1,500 to serve a veteran, so CrossFit Skylands will be directly responsible for possibly changing the lives of at least 13 veterans in 2025.
More CrossFit Stories
- Dreamtown CrossFit Owner Jason Berger Chooses Happiness and Health Over Wealth
- All Level CrossFit Doing All the Good Deeds in Ontario
- Mach983 CrossFit Serves at-Risk Youth, Formerly Incarcerated Individuals, and Veterans in Colorado
Featured image: @cfskylands / Instagram
