CrossFit fundraiser competition set March 15

What started out as a way for CrossFit Lewes members to share their passion for CrossFit with friends and family has blossomed into an annual fitness competition raising thousands of dollars for local organizations in need.

The second installment of CrossFit Lewes’ unique Share the Pain fitness competition will kick off at 9 a.m., Saturday, March 15, at CrossFit Lewes in Nassau Commons. The beneficiary is the SAFE Program of People’s Place, a local organization that supports survivors of domestic abuse in Sussex and Kent counties.

Share the Pain is a unique event created and organized by the members of CrossFit Lewes. Teams of two athletes - CrossFit Lewes members paired with nonmembers - challenge each other in a series of workouts and compete for prizes valued from $250 to $750. Part of the competition includes participants raising money to benefit the SAFE program. As teams meet certain fundraising milestones, they will receive additional bonus points that factor into their final placement in the competition.

“We have an extremely strong community of athletes who are passionate about health and wellness,” said CrossFit Lewes owner Kris Carper. “We wanted to take that passion and strength and give something back to the community. We are very excited to be able help the SAFE program and their mission to help families in need to get a fresh start on life.”

“Domestic abuse is an issue that is very prevalent in our area and nationwide. One out of four woman has experienced domestic abuse,” said Marcey Rezac, CrossFit Lewes member and program director for SAFE. “We work to help survivors get back on their feet, out of our shelters and back into a home of their own.”

The program recently lost a grant, which makes the Share the Pain event particularly timely for the organization.

“We are thrilled CrossFit Lewes chose us to be the beneficiary for Share the Pain. The money raised will help us fill a void from our lost grant and will go a long way to helping survivors of domestic abuse right here in our area,” said Rezac.

Money raised through Share the Pain will be used specifically to assure that the essential funds needed to establish a family’s safe housing are available for survivors who are ready to leave the SAFE Program’s shelters. Survivors are provided with security deposits, utility deposits and first month’s rent. Access to these funds will decrease the number of days that families need to stay in a shelter and will open the doors to additional families who are in need.

“We have about 100 athletes competing and raising money,” said Carper. “Additionally, we have secured sponsorship from several of the area’s local businesses and organizations. Their support is critical to the success of the event and to make sure all the funds raised by participants go directly to the SAFE program. We couldn’t do any of this without them.”

Leading the way with Hero Level sponsorship support is Schell Brothers. Additional local sponsors for Share the Pain include Atlantic Transportation Services, I.G. Burton, George & Lynch, County Bank, the Cape Gazette, Orthopaedic Associates of Southern Delaware, The Big Chill Surf Cantina, Root Gourmet, Dogfish Head, Reebok Outlet, AgVisory, Meineke of Lewes and the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The Share the Pain event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CrossFit Lewes, 17517 Nassau Commons Blvd. in Lewes. Spectators are welcome and donations to the SAFE program will be accepted at the door. People may also make donations at www.cflstp.com.