You come to the Columbia Basin Racquet Club to feel good, but at this time of year, you can also do good.
As soon as you walk up the front steps, you’ll see that CBRC provides members’ opportunities to participate in a culture of giving that is prevalent in the Tri-Cities.
According to Cole Willis, General Manager, giving back is a key part of CBRC’s purpose to inspire community, create a sense of family, and enhance a life worth living. He says, “The reality is that not everyone can spend their resources for a gym membership. Giving back is a way to live our values and support the Tri-Cities by providing opportunities for others to be healthy, comfortable, and active.”
To that end, CBRC has several options for members to make a difference.
COAT DRIVE
The first thing you’ll notice at the entrance to the CBRC is the box to collect coats. You can drop off your gently-worn outerwear as soon you arrive and staff will make sure they’re delivered to the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission. Not all families can afford new coats for growing children and those who face housing insecurity may not even have a place to store winter clothes through the summer months. All sizes and styles are needed to give the gift of warmth.
ADOPT A FAMILY
As you come through the front doors, you’ll see a Christmas tree with blinking lights and red and green paper ornaments. The ornaments list gifts for individual members of three local families. CBRC partners with Jefferson Elementary to identify the families and collect their wish lists. The gifts are inexpensive and range from gift cards, robes, and necessary toiletries. Please grab a tag and bring your unwrapped item to CBRC by Monday, December 16.
FOOD DRIVE
Peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish, and granola bars may sound like post-workout meal options, but they’re actually items needed for the 6th annual food drive. Each year, CBRC invites members to donate food. Then these items are combined with other food types that are located at other collection sites to fill complete boxes and delivered to Jefferson Elementary and Communities in Schools Benton-Franklin.
There are bins for each food item near the reception desk and you can simply drop off items after you check-in and know that you are providing nutritious options for those who experience food insecurity.
POLAR PLUNGE
Alloy participants have an added incentive to give food. They can donate to earn stars to assign to their trainer of choice. Donating any of the following will earn Alloy members one star:
- $4.00
- 4 cans of tuna
- 12 granola bars
- 1 large jar of peanut butter or jam
The trainer with the most stars at the end of the month does a polar plunge.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
CBRC also has a program that allows you to support active lifestyles for others while also giving your friends and loved ones the chance to work out themselves. The 12 Days of Christmas program provides passes for non-members to enjoy CBRC classes and equipment over the holidays. The $15 per-adult pass covers 12 visits between now and December 31.
One hundred percent of the proceeds go to support Skyline Adventures, a local nonprofit outreach program staffed by volunteers and based in Dayton, WA. They bring winter skiing and snowboarding at Bluewood to young people who lack opportunity or have special needs, as well as to healing veterans.
Just last year, CBRC contributed more than $4,000 to Skyline Adventures and we hope to increase that amount this year. Talk to the front desk staff to sign up for 12 Days of Christmas.
BENEFIT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
By contributing to others, you also benefit yourself. Studies by Rush Medical Center show that philanthropy and charitable giving lead to “greater self-esteem, life satisfaction and sense of purpose” which can lead to lower risk of depression and better physical health.
All of this is to say, that by giving back to the community through CBRC, you really will feel good by doing good.