The owners of Anytime Fitness in North Branch are pleased to announce their participation in "Celebrating Everyday Super Heroes" -- a nationwide campaign designed to raise money for local and national charities.

Collectively, the 450 Anytime Fitness clubs nationwide hope to raise $125,000 for the American Heart Association.

In addition, each individual Anytime Fitness club will choose a worthy cause in its community to honor and contribute to.

The Anytime Fitness club in North Branch has set a goal of raising $1,500 for the American Heart Association and $1,500 for Anonymous Santa.

Anytime Fitness club manager Jen Stromquist says she and her members chose to raise money for Anonymous Santa because, "Who better to help than the children."

Here's how it will all work: Each individual Anytime Fitness club will attempt to recruit 24 local businesses, schools, and churches willing to nominate and sponsor one local super hero apiece.

The nominees can be a valued employee, a loyal customer, a dedicated volunteer or anyone the business considers heroic. In exchange for a $100 sponsorship (half of which will be donated to the American Heart Association and half to Anonymous Santa).

The "heroes" will all be honored with certificates that will be posted inside Anytime Fitness on Oct. 1.

In addition, all employees at the businesses which sponsor a hero will be offered 10-day free passes to the club, discounted enrollments to the club, discounted memberships and/or special gifts.

On Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Anytime Fitness will host an open house so members of the public can visit the club and see which of their friends and neighbors have been honored as Everyday Super Heroes.

Also, throughout the entire month of October, individual Anytime Fitness club members will have the chance to sponsor their own Everyday Super Heroes. Whether it's a family member, a neighbor, a babysitter or whoever -- for $24 -- members can honor anyone who they consider to be an unsung hero.

For more information about the open house or about participating in the Everyday Super Hero campaign, contact Jen in North Branch at northbranch@anytimefitness.com or call at (651) 674-0580.

Comment from Mark Daly, 9/19/07

Way to go Jen!