Hitting the Gym for Charity Published Nov. 20, 2009 By TSgt Keisha Gwin-Goodin HQ-AMC/BA Scott AFB, IL -- A1C Adam Braatz, pianist with the Band of Mid-America, hit the gym a bit harder over the past month. His personal challenge was not only to improve his already impressive fitness routine, but also to drop a few pounds in the name of charity. Braatz charged himself with losing as much weight as possible without supplements and extreme dieting. He wanted to do it the good old fashioned way complete with tough workouts and healthy eating. Not only did he want to re-motivate himself and attain some personal fitness goals, he wanted to benefit others as well. Seeking out a creative way to get people excited about donating to charity, Braatz enlisted the help of his fellow Airmen. His request was for each sponsor to donate one food item per pound lost. He succeeded in getting 40 people from the band squadron to sponsor him. "I'd tell people about the program [and that] I was hoping to lose around 10 lbs. They'd say 10 lbs in a month? You'll never do that! Sign me up!" Braatz lost 13lbs. With 40 sponsors donating one food item per pound, more than 500 food items will be delivered to the Community Interfaith Food Pantry in Belleville, IL. The food will be right on time to help feed the 300-400 families estimated to show up for Thanksgiving dinner. Braatz encourages other Airmen seeking personal fitness goals to conduct a similar challenge. "Making a competition out of things is always a good way to get motivated." He certainly got motivated, and ended up helping dozens of families in the process. For information regarding volunteering or donating to Interfaith Food Pantry, contact CMSgt (ret.) Jerry Messick at 618-355-9199.