The Memorial Weekend Murph Fundraiser at Kainos Community CrossFit returned on Saturday and Sunday, this time raising over $4,000 for the Pilot Point Fire Department.
The money, which is always donated with an earmark that it be used for exercise equipment, will help fund the weight room at the department’s new station on 1385 when it’s finished, Kainos owner Jordan Harr guessed.
“One thing they are looking at is a universal cable machine, which encompasses multiple workouts to keep the body fit and ready,” Harr said. “That was something all of them could utilize. ... Whatever their needs are, they get to take it and do what they feel are necessary.”
The connection between the Murph and the fire department started at Kainos in 2022.
“It’s honoring Lt. Michael Muphy, who gave his life for our country, so a lot of Cross-Fit gyms, fire departments, police departments, a lot of people do this work out, but Cpt. Todd Rimling was coming to our gym for a while and was talking about how their exercise room didn’t have a lot of equipment, so we were like, ‘Why don’t we turn out Murph into a fundraiser?’” The equipment has made a difference, Harr said.
“After the first year, they saw over 100 pounds of weight loss across the group, so we saw lives change in a good way,” Harr said. “It’s been a big benefit for them.”
The workout has remained free, so Kainos and the department find other ways to raise money during the event.
“We raise money with sponsorships,” Harr said. “This year it was a $250 donation, which gets a logo on the back of the shirt, ... the T-shirt sales were $25. You can make a general donation, any donation is welcome, and then T&T Flowers out of Sanger donates food every year so the fire department cooks breakfast burritos, and you can donate for them as well.”
Chandler Cabinets was the title sponsor for the year, with other sponsors including Apex Tumbling and Cheer, who opened their doors to participants’ kids during the workout.
“He had his coaches over there, and anyone could come and drop their kids off for three hours and let their kids play in a good, structured environment to get some energy out,” Harr said. “The parents were about to come and be stress free knowing their kids were taken care of.”
The event continues to grow, he explained, with over 100 people coming out to support and get a workout in the process.
“You mention firefighters and donating and people go out of their way to help them,” Harr said. “The number one killer for firefighters is heart attack, so the fact that we can be a part of providing the equipment or service needed so they can stay in shape so they’re ready to do the task has been an honor.”
