Reminder: There will be a blood drive at Albany CrossFit on Monday, January 14th from 3pm to 8pm. Helping save lives!

Finding the silver lining in a community 

Albany CrossFit will host a memorial and workout event on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m., honoring those killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Close to a month ago, 26 angels and heroes were killed in the tragic school shooting.

Why we do what we do is to inspire people to be better. To be better, we must give back to the community, and that is what we are doing through this memorial event. We don’t shy away from what is painful — physically, emotionally or mentally. We pull together and do the right thing. In this case, it is paying our respects to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Angels and Heroes.

New member Renee Solheim is from Newtown and attended Sandy Hook Elementary School. “The amount of love that has come out of this is unbelievable. It was so overwhelming, but my hometown community [of Newtown] is now tighter and stronger than ever,” she expressed. “My first grade classroom was THAT classroom. The shooting is too unimaginable to put words to; however, there is hope, and we want all those who have helped our community take the acts of kindness to their own communities as well.” At Albany CrossFit, that is what we will do.

The memorial event is open to the public and we will be collecting donations for two organizations.
Participants and Visitors: Suggested $10 donation to one of the following charities. We will have collection envelops at the event.

Newtown Youth and Family Services: A Newtown, Conn., established nonprofit mental-health organization that has provided continued counseling for families, community members or staff involved in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, and has served its community for over 30 years.

CrossFit for Hope: Benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2012, Albany CrossFit raised more than $35,000 for St. Jude’s and has a goal of $100,000 for 2013.

The Sandy Hook School Memorial WOD — Heroes and Angels
A scaled version will be available for visitors who would like to, and are welcomed to, participate in the workout portion. All attendees are welcome to the memorial portion.
Part 1:
20 Burpees (representing the children)
Part 2:
6 Rounds for Time (representing the teachers and date of tragedy)
12 Hang Power Cleans (135/85)
14 Wall Balls (20/14)
12 Pull- Ups
Part 3:
20 Burpees (again, for the children)