Virginia

Starr Group Teams Up With Local College to Get Students Focused on Fitness

Two Planet Fitness® locations in Danville and Martinsville, Virginia, owned by Starr Group, have teamed up with a local college to make the cost of working out even more affordable.

When Katherine Pappas, associate director for the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) program at Averett University, reached out to her local gym to form a partnership, the clubs immediately jumped on the opportunity.

“Katherine reached out to me at our Danville location and asked if she could visit the club and set up a table to promote and attract interest from our members to Averett’s GPS program,” said club manager Misty Adams. “Katherine and I discussed a membership offer for the GPS students that would be affordable. Once she learned about the $10 membership, we decided to make it even more affordable by waiving the enrollment fee and giving them their first month free.”

The club invited Pappas to set up a table during the March pizza Monday, which provided the GPS program great exposure.

“We understand that college can be a very stressful time, and exercise is a great way to relieve stress,” added Adams. “The health benefits and the absence of a campus gym created the perfect partnership with Averett GPS students.”

In addition to partnering with Averett’s GPS program, the clubs have also been highly involved with Averett athletics for the past four years. PF® often provides game tickets at the front desk, and the football mascot will even visit the club from time to time to hand out tickets as well.

The clubs also donate $2,000 per year to the athletic teams and in return have a banner that is displayed on the football field and logos that can be seen on the digital scoreboard during football games.

“Averett’s GPS program seeks to partner with local businesses with which our missions align,” concluded Ron Lonzo, executive director of GPS enrollment. “The partnership with the Danville and Martinsville Planet Fitness locations will not only encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle, but also strive to meet their educational goals at a more affordable cost.”

Asbell Planet Services Helps Convert Teen Center into Workout Space at Local BGC

On March 8, Asbell Planet Services, LLC employees from the company’s Lynchburg, Virginia, location gave back to their community by transforming a teen center at a local Boys & Girls Club into a new workout space.

Employees spent one day painting the room and returned the following week to install the workout equipment, which included a treadmill, elliptical and a stationary bike.

“I’m so glad that we could help with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg with its renovation efforts to create a gym space that will welcome kids in the area to make the most of the clubhouse and burn some of that youthful energy to stay healthy, alert and ready to learn,” said franchisee Bill Asbell. “We love helping local youth, and we know that they’ll make the most of the equipment we donated and enjoy the new look of the gym section of the clubhouse. We look forward to more opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the great, vital work that Boys & Girls Clubs provide.”

Regional Manager Lindsay Woods noted that the company ran across a similar story in a previous issue of the Geared Up magazine and decided to donate the equipment once it was time for the club to re-equip. Woods also said that, in addition to serving the Boys & Girls Clubs, participating in activities like these gives employees a sense of purpose within their city that comes from giving back to the community and the kids.

Employees that assisted with the remodel include Lindsay Woods, Brian Winch, Elijah Tozar, Amanda Ranson, Katie Reeves, Miranda Dessalet and Nicholle Palicas.