ABOUT TOWN: Stoughton YMCA’s Ride for Strong Kids Spin-a-thon a Success

SECOND ANNUAL SPIN-A-THON FOR STRONG KIDS A SUCCESS: The held its second "" Spin-a-thon, sponsored by CBIZ Tofias, on Saturday, March 24.

Money raised from this event will support the branch’s annual campaign, providing financial assistance for community kids and families who without this support would not be able to participate in YMCA membership, camp and afterschool programs.

"Working alongside the committee of volunteers that made this event happen, is truly inspiring," stated Serah Selmon, Associate Executive Director of the Stoughton Branch.

She continued, "Everyone has a powerful story motivating them to give so much of themselves to help this cause. Mark Leppo, the Spin-a-thon chairperson and event founder, put everything he had into last year’s event. In its first year, the spin-a-thon raised over $17,000—all while Mark fought a rare from of Cancer, which returned just before last year’s event.

“This year, having fought and won a second time, Mark understands personally that members of our community never expect to struggle or undergo hardship, but when it happens, it is a good thing residents of Stoughton and our surrounding communities can count on the Y!

“We count on the generosity of our members and community to help people of all ages and from all walks of life to be more healthy, confident, connected and secure. It’s important for people to know that when you give to the Y, your gift will have a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own neighborhood."

Leppo could not attend camp in his youth, due to a lack of money, and he strived to send as many children to camp who were in the same circumstances he was in. This is what inspired him to start the Spin-a-thon, which is now being done annually in every Old Colony YMCA location.

Selmon says that, "This event has pulled in more than $15,000 and the support continues to come in. The Y will publish final fundraising numbers in April, once the full raffle is complete.

She continued: “Most raffle items were pulled Saturday, but the sports items (Andre Tippett signed Patriots Jersey, Brandon Bass signed Celtics Basketball, Daniel Paille signed hockey puck, and tickets to a weekday Red Sox game in May) will be continued through April 5th at noon."

Cost of raffle tickets is only $1 each, or 15 for $10. They can still be purchased in the lobby of the Stoughton Old Colony YMCA branch. Residents can also buy souvenir t-shirts for only $8 to help support the cause.

Spinathon Chairman Mark Leppo and Special Events Committee Chairperson Kathy Stern were thankful to a long list of givers. They cited the Committee, which included Courtney Chizmadia, Jean Inman, Jessica Ackerman, Marcia Boland-Wells, Mary Coulter-Bennett, and Serah Selmon. Additional help was provided by Anne Leppo and Cindy Pazyra. Instructors who led the spinning were Beth Marzelli, Jeff Spring, Heidi Isler, Ben Mattson, Celeste Kaye, Julia DuBovy, and Christine Cochrane-McKay.

The Committee sent thanks to all the food, drink & snack sponsors: Starbucks at Cobbs Corner, Peppercorns at the Y, Life's a Bagel, Stop & Shop in Stoughton, Big Y in Walpole, the Boland-Wells Family, Chuck & Cheese Pizza, TGI Fridays, Shaw's Supermarket in Stoughton, Munroe Dairy, Dunkin' Donuts, Papa Gino's on Washington Street, and Cosco.

Congratulations to Joe Howard, who spun for SIX HOURS! Sponsors included CBIZ Tobias ($2500 donation); Jean Inman and The Prone Family Foundation ($1000 sponsors); Fred Yaitanes and Nadine Israel of Fred & Nadine Realtors and Mark Leppo of Zip Realty ($500 sponsors); and Marcott Designs, Inc. (who did a great job on the T shirts, and donated $250). Selmon also thanked the Stoughton Patch, Snyder's Stoughton, and the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce for helping to get the word out about the event.

If you notice a cow doing spinning on the bike when looking at pictures from this event (posted in the media gallery), you should know who that was in the costume. Munroe Dairy in Rhode Island sent their rep Jay Morin in a cow suit. He was great! The kids loved him, and the dairy gave out samples of their products, as well as free sample deliveries to Stoughton households as part of the promotion.

Fun and fitness was had by all! The money collected for this event will pay to help send a child to camp, give kids a role model in a after school program, or to allow a family to stay healthy and connected by exercising and being part of the Y Community.

***