The competition allowed Rick to launch a ‘Lift for the Kids Challenge’ to help raise money to feed kids through Provision Packs. Donors estimated how much combined weight Rick would lift. Through this pledge challenge and major donors, Rick raised $35,000 which will provide weekend meal packages for 132 kids for a full school year. “I had an opportunity to talk to both individuals and large groups. People are always surprised to learn that we have children in our backyards that receive all their meals at school and do not have a reliable food source on the weekends. Once they understand that Provision Packs supplies meals to these kids, they are happy to donate,” said Rick. Lead sponsors included Ocean Hammock Community Outreach and New Way Church. Both made significant donations and committed to volunteer work.
Provision Packs is an Ormond Beach, FL based organization that provides weekend meal packages for children that receive the majority of their food at school during the week, but do not have a reliable food source on weekends. Each week, volunteers pack approximately 500 meal packages for nine elementary schools in Volusia and Flagler Counties.
Rick now qualifies to advance to the Florida State Senior games, which will be held in Orlando in December. “I am going to enter the deadlift and wants to focus on training and being able to lift 400 lbs. – that would break the record that’s been held for ten years,” Rick said. WJXT Channel 4 will sponsor Rick and will be reporting on his results.
Anyone interested in helping feed the kids is invited to visit https://www.provisionpacks.org/ and click on the More, then Donate tab.
