Chris Johnnides, a sophomore in College of Nursing, spots Richard Everett, a third year law student in Creighton’s Ahmanson School of Law, bench pressing in the Kiewit Fitness Center.
Creighton University held the Strength for Service Lift-a-Thon, a charity event organized in partnership with Folds of Honor, the Creighton University Student Bar Association and the Student Wellness Association.
The event, hosted on Nov. 8, aimed to raise money for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled service members.
Richard Everett, a third-year law student at Creighton’s Ahmanson School of Law, organized the Lift-A-Thon and said he wanted to use fitness as a way to bring the campus community together for a good cause.
“We were able to raise $471,” Everett said via email. “A little shy of our $500 goal, but all the money went directly to Folds of Honor and we didn’t take a penny.”
Folds of Honor was founded by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. The organization supports the spouses and children of United State service members who have died or become disabled as a result of combat. All of the money from the Lift-a-Thon was donated to the Folds of Honor.
According to the organization’s website, Folds of Honor’s mission began after a powerful moment on one of Rooney’s flights home from Iraq.
“It began with Lt. Col. Dan Rooney’s flight home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. An F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, he became painfully aware of the realities families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled,” the website said.
Everett said he was inspired to organize the Lift-a-Thon after meeting Rooney at an event in New Jersey. He was assisted by Nick Fischer, another Creighton student who has previously helped plan professional school events on campus.
The Lift-a-Thon allowed participants to test their strength in a series of weightlifting challenges. Prizes were awarded to top lifters, but the competition was open to anyone regardless of experience level.
According to the CU Involved event page, the focus was on self-improvement and community rather than competition.
“Come to test your strength, surpass your current goals or compete with your friends,” the event page said.