The University of Toledo, in collaboration with Turbo in Toledo and Student Recreation Center affiliates, will host “Turbo for a Cause,” a cardio-exercise fundraiser, Saturday, June 5, to benefit Racing for Recovery.
The free, public event will run from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center and feature options for all ages and fitness levels. Donations will be accepted to benefit Racing for Recovery, a nonprofit organization working to help people overcome addictions through fitness efforts.
Participants should come ready for an hour packed with turbo-kicking, which is “a really fun, popular class that has changed people’s lives,” said Angie Green, associate director of programming at the Student Recreation Center and a turbo-kick instructor at Turbo in Toledo.
For the past two years, “Turbo for a Cause” has raised more than $1,000 for the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. About 250 people participated last year. This year’s goals are for higher participation and to raise more than $2,000 to benefit Racing for Recovery, Green said.
Since Racing for Recovery focuses on fitness and health, Green said “Turbo for a Cause” helps tie in the values of the UT Student Recreation Center with the goals and initiatives of this charity, while also striving to bring together people from the Midwest (including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana) to the UT community.
NBC 24’s Alexis Means will be the event’s emcee, with drawings for prizes to follow the turbo workout with four high-energy instructors from Turbo in Toledo. Tickets for the raffle drawing are $1 each, with prizes from local companies, including several hair salons, Urban Active, Syd’s Bakery and more.
New this year, participants will have the opportunity to form teams or groups and are encouraged to dress in their own theme and colors to compete for a spirit stick to be given to the most spirited team.
”It is like a dance party you never want to end,” Green said. “The energy of so many people coming together for a cause is just intense.”
