MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee Cross Fit gym is celebrating its one-year anniversary in business by giving back to the community.

What You Need To Know

  • A Milwaukee Cross Fit gym is celebrating its one-year anniversary in business by giving back to the community

  • Dropout Athletics and four other Milwaukee area gyms will be open and hosting classes for 24 hours straight at the end of this month

  • The full day celebration starts at 7 a.m. on Sept. 30 and ends at 7 a.m. Oct. 1

  • All the money raised during the charity give-back will go straight to the Ozaukee County-based nonprofit, Mel’s Charities

Dropout Athletics is located in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood. It and four other Milwaukee area gyms will be open and hosting classes for 24 hours straight at the end of this month.

The full day celebration starts at 7 a.m. on Sept. 30 and ends at 7 a.m. Oct. 1.

Zach DeBoer doesn’t own the gym but is an active member. He came up with the 24 hour give back program called Muscles for Mel’s.

(Spectrum News 1/Wendy Strong)

“The biggest goal is to lift up the community we have and show people what it’s like to be in service of others to put others in front of ourselves and just see the magic that occurs,” said DeBoer.

All the money raised during the charity give-back will go straight to the Ozaukee County-based nonprofit, Mel’s Charities.

The organization has been around for approximately 24 years. It supports multiple charities, primarily ones that help kids with disabilities. It also funds memorials for people who have passed away and supports community impact projects.

Tom “Mel” Stanton is the executive director of Mel’s Charities. He said he’s thrilled to expand his organization’s footprint from Ozaukee to Riverwest. He said he is also inspired by the up-and-coming businesses that want to give back.

(Spectrum News 1/Wendy Strong)

“It means the world to us that this next generation believes in our mission, it makes me happy to know that the future is bright not only at Mel’s Charities, but these next generation of leaders here at this young age that want to give back,” said Stanton.

Jessie Schaub is one of the co-owners of the cross fit gym. She said her business is dedicated to giving back as it grows.

“We’re trying to make ourselves fitter, we are trying to make ourselves healthier and stronger for our families, but what else can we do with that,” she said. “We are very fortunate to be healthy, well individuals, but what can we do outside of our own little world?”

The 24 hour give back will be joined by TrainMoment, Solidcore, Sprint Boss and Barre Code. 

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