Typically, Chip Wright is the one telling people to “drop and give me 20.” But throughout the month of December, roles have reversed for the fitness trainer. Wright hopes to raise $5,000 this month by doing 20,000 push-ups – and that number is not a typo.
Wright’s motivation to raise money for the American Cancer Society is personal.
“I lost a close friend to breast cancer on Aug. 12,” Wright said. “I didn’t know what to do or how I could help. Then I came up with the pledge to do 20,000 push-ups this month for $5,000 in memory of her and the men and women who battle this disease.”
Those who donate to his cause can ask him to pump out as many push-ups as they’d like to see. His meticulous record-keeping has him on track to hit his goal by midnight, Dec. 31.
“I started on Dec. 1 and I average 645 push-ups a day,” said Wright, the founder of Kal-El Fitness. “I’ve done just under 10,000 so far.”
Donations range in size from $10 to as much as a couple hundred bucks. Every penny helps the cause, Wright said, and 100% of what he raises goes to the ACS, even if he doesn’t hit his $5,000 goal.
“I’ve asked my clients to help me hit my push-up goal, and some of them have also donated money,” Wright said. “Yesterday I had six clients and I asked them to do 100 pushups with me each session. I knock them out throughout training.”
Wright, who has been a trainer in Tampa Bay for 2004, is already in good shape, but he admits that the push-ups were difficult at first.
“It started out rough,” the WAVE-Award winning trainer said. “My shoulders were hurting. But once I started they started getting easier. Before I knew it I was able to do 50 in a row. My stamina has improved and my chest is building. I’m also hungry all the time because I’m burning so many calories.”
Wright came up with the Give Me 20 plan and when he approached the American Cancer Society about his efforts, the organization helped him set up a donation page. While the format of the fundraiser is based on charity marathons and runs, Wright said he chose pushups as his activity because he is such a believer in their benefits when it comes to maintaining health.
“Anyone who hires me as a trainer knows I’m big in pushups,” he said. “My clientele is mostly 50-years-old and older, and pushups are very moderate. They’re safe and they work two to three muscles at once. This gives me a chance to walk the walk. I’m always talking pushups so by doing this I’m letting my clients see that I’m truly a believer in their benefits.”
When asked how his fundraising was going, Wright said that he had raise just over $1,000. If he wants to reach his $5,000 goal, he’ll have to find more donors – and fast.
“I’ve reached out to friends through Facebook and my clients,” Wright said. “I’ve also reached out to the media – radio television and newspapers. I’m still waiting for most of those to get back with me.”
Regardless of the monetary outcome, Wright predicts he will do his Give Me 20 campaign again, maybe as early as next summer.
“The bottom line is this is a cause I believe in and the money will help fight cancer,” Wright said.
To help Wright reach his fundraising goal, visit his donation page or visit Kal-ElFitness.com.
