Julia Sanders

All it takes to make a wish come true is you. That’s one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s many mottos that inspired National Fitness Partners to participate in the nonprofit organization’s annual fundraiser three years ago. This year, NFP expanded its efforts to help the Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley branches by raising $65,000, the most successful campaign NFP has had thus far.

In addition to the donation, NFP President and CEO Stephen Kindler Jr. served as the co-chair for the Make-A-Wish Evening of Wishes.

“Serving as co-chair of Evening of Wishes was both an honor and a responsibility. Make-A-Wish creates life-changing moments for children and families facing incredibly difficult circumstances, and I was proud to help bring our community together in support of that mission,” he said. “Seeing the generosity of our team members, club members, donors and community partners firsthand reinforced just how much we can accomplish when we come together around a shared purpose.”

In April, NFP-owned Planet Fitness® clubs collected donations, spread awareness and even held a mileage-matching initiative. Over 140,000 miles were tracked across the entire campaign, raising $14,000 in donations.

“Supporting a cause like Make-A-Wish is a powerful reflection of NFP’s commitment to making a meaningful difference beyond our business. Through our month-long fundraising campaign in April, all 200-plus NFP clubs came together to raise funds that help grant life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses,” said Michaela Vallonio, communications and community impact manager at NFP. “This collective effort has raised more than $100,000 over our past three campaigns, demonstrating the passion and generosity of our employees and the strength of our commitment to the communities we serve.”

The overall initiative culminated with the Make-A-Wish Evening of Wishes on April 23. The celebration and fundraising gala entailed highlighting local wish children and their families with stories and speeches as well as live and silent auctions to continue fundraising efforts. The other co-chair of the event was Kindler’s father, Steve Kindler Sr. The two prepped and planned for this event almost a year in advance, working with leadership, sponsors, donors and community partners to shape the event into a magical night. The long process was made all worth it that evening when a young boy’s wish to meet a local NFL superstar was made a reality.

“We were able to reveal a wish to a young boy who wanted to meet Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles. Seeing his face when the video of Saquon inviting him to Eagles training camp played was truly inspirational,” Vallonio said.

With the continued success of the charitable events, NFP aims to continue this initiative for years to come.

“This was NFP’s third year participating in the Make-A-Wish campaign, and each year we’ve continued to see momentum build. The success of this year’s campaign reinforces our commitment to the partnership, and we look forward to continuing to support Make-A-Wish and expand our impact in the years ahead,” Vallonio said.

As the New Mexico Goatheads, the newest ECHL team, hits the ice for their inaugural season, they’ll have a fresh new official partner by their side. IGNITE Fitness Holdings announced its official partnership with the Albuquerque-based professional hockey team in the late spring. It was a partnership that IGNITE Fitness felt reflected exactly who it is as a brand.

“It reflects who we are. We’re not just a service in the community – we’re a part of it. Aligning with a local team lets us celebrate the same things our members value: staying active, competing and showing up for each other,” said Dana Rodriguez, senior manager, CRM and growth marketing for IGNITE Fitness. “Supporting a hometown franchise in its very first season is a chance to build something meaningful together and to be there for fans and members alike, on and off the ice.”

The partnership will feature Planet Fitness® commercials that will run at every home game. The commercials will feature the Goatheads’ mascot, Billy, working at IGNITE’s local clubs. It also includes shared branding and co-marketing across all IGNITE’s channels. Most importantly, it will bring real perks to PF® members in the Albuquerque area, including ticket giveaways, special local events and much more.

“It’s a fun, active fit: two organizations focused on energy, community and showing up for Albuquerque,” Rodriguez said.

IGNITE is no stranger to a partnership with professional sports teams. Over the years, it has worked with the Knoxville Ice Bears, Rochester Americans, Hartford Yard Goats, Calgary Stampeders, New Haven United and Hockey Canada. However, the partnership with the Goatheads presents a unique opportunity.

“The New Mexico Goatheads are Albuquerque’s newest ECHL team and an affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, and their arrival created a natural opening to connect with a passionate, growing local fanbase,” Rodriguez said. “As a fitness brand rooted in the same community our clubs serve, partnering with a brand-new franchise from day one was an exciting way to grow alongside the team and the energy they’re bringing to the city.”

The ECHL season officially begins in October, kickstarting a new chapter for IGNITE’s Albuquerque Planet Fitness clubs.

“We believe our responsibility extends beyond the four walls of our clubs.” It’s a simple quote, but one that drives Excel Fitness to make it its mission to give back to the community consistently.

During the summer, Excel Fitness’ South Central North Carolina management team was looking for an avenue to volunteer. After some research, they decided to partner with the ALMS House during its Love Luncheon program. The ALMS House, located in Hope Mills, North Carolina, has been providing free meals, clothing, counseling, financial assistance and hope to families in need for over 20 years. It made the choice easy for the Excel Fitness management team.

“The ALMS House has been a pillar of the Hope Mills community for decades, providing meals, clothing, financial assistance, counseling and hope to individuals and families in need,” said Ramsey Minto, assistant marketing manager at Excel Fitness. “As leaders within the Hope Mills community, we wanted to support an organization whose mission aligns with our own core values of caring for others. The opportunity to serve during the Love Luncheon program allows us to connect with our community in a meaningful and hands-on way. Plus, Planet Fitness Hope Mills is located just 10 minutes away!”

Volunteers from the local Planet Fitness® locations aided the ALMS House in preparing and serving meals to guests. With a wide array of guests in attendance for meals, including children of all ages, it created a very heavy but heartfelt experience.

“Volunteering at the ALMS House was a powerful reminder that leadership is about serving others. It was inspiring to work alongside my team to make a positive impact on our community,” said Nicole Bellamy, senior general manager. “Seeing the gratitude from those we served made the experience incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud to be part of a company that encourages us to give back.”

In addition, it became an inspiring and motivating moment for Excel Fitness to see its team members volunteer and step up to help out their community.

“It was rewarding to see the regional manager, general managers, assistant managers and shift leads from different clubs come together with one shared purpose: serving others,” Minto said. “It wasn’t about our titles or getting out of the club for the day; it was about making a difference. Experiences like this strengthen our relationships as leaders while reinforcing the core values that define Excel Fitness.”

With locations right around the corner, Excel Fitness plans to make this partnership a regular occurrence.