Rec Center holding fitness events to help vets

The Kent State Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) will be holding its fourth annual Wheels4Change Remembrance Fitness event from 11:30 a.m. — 2 p.m. Saturday.

The event is free to attend, but donations are encouraged. All donations provide funding for veteran programs.

Wheels4Change works to help military veterans and their families. According to their website, their goal is “to link local veterans and their families with resources to address post-military problems and provide them with support, including employment, fitness and motivational opportunities to help them successfully reintegrate into their local communities and assist them in the rehabilitation process.”

Event-goers will be able to participate in a variety of different fitness related activities at the Rec, including this year’s new events in the lap pool and rock climbing.

Elizabeth Michel, group exercise program officer of the SRWC, is planning the event and said she feels encouraged for this year’s turnout.

“This is the fourth year we’ve done Wheels4Change, and each year it keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Michel said. “It’s great for all of us to show support to our veterans who gave their time and in some cases, their lives.”

Also new this year, “The Eyes of Freedom Memorial” are a series of paintings that depict the 14 Marines from Lima Company out of Ohio who lost their lives in March of 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Wheels4Change often holds events in Akron and surrounding areas.

Kent employees participating in the Wellness Your Way Employee Incentive Program may receive 10 exercise points for your participation in one of the physical activity classes. To receive points, sign in at the classes.

Registration is not required to donate. Donations can also be made online at wheels4change.com.

For questions regarding the event, you can contact Elizabeth Michel at 330-672-0475.

Shane Transue is the fitness and recreation reporter, contact him at [email protected].