MARCH, 2008

EASTER GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
For the 5th consecutive year, the PR Fitness and Figure Team showed that although many of us are chocolate-deprived due to contest “meal plans,” misery does not love company in this case! The PR Team donated 30 colorful Easter Baskets full of goodies and toys to The Children’s Hospital at their beautiful new location. Liza’s son, Harris, even volunteered to use his own hard-earned allowance money to buy Easter Baskets for these children! Who cares about eating chocolate?! We get so much more satisfaction from knowing the Easter Bunny will deliver our baskets to kids confined to their hospital rooms. Nice work, Team!

DECEMBER, 2007

PR CHRISTMAS ANGELS
The PR Fitness and Figure Team is known for showing their Christmas spirit each year through their generous donations of toys to children, and this year was something truly special. We worked with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless through their Adopt-a-Family program, and were fortunate to be matched with a wonderful family of six beautiful children ranging in age from 1-1/2 to 12. Three boys and three girls, along with their mother, were showered with literally dozens of Christmas gifts purchased with love from the PR girls! Each PR Angel was matched to one of the children, and purchased gifts for the child based on their Christmas Wish List. To say the PR Team was generous in this respect is truly an understatement! The family was incredibly happy the day the gifts were delivered, and we received numerous unsolicited hugs and thank-you's from the little ones. Although somewhat heartbreaking, this was truly a rewarding experience for us all. Merry Christmas!

MAY, 2007

PR “PASTA PRINCESSES” AT THE DENVER RONALD McDONALD HOUSE
Who would ever guess a bunch of carb-conscious fit women would know so much about pasta, bread and cookies? Never underestimate a PR Fitness and Figure Girl! Several PR girls turned themselves into “PR Pasta Princesses” for the evening when they played hostess and server to the residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Denver on May 25th. The PR Team served a delicious meal of spaghetti, garlic bread and dessert to the grateful residents. The Ronald McDonald House has rooms for 31 out-of-town families of seriously ill and injured children being hospitalized in Denver. They provide a temporary “home away from home” for families to have their needs met so they can focus their energies on their ill or injured child.

APRIL, 2007

EASTER FUN!
For the fourth consecutive year, the PR Fitness and Figure Team proved they have hearts of gold to match their cottontails! The PR Team, including sons and significant others, spent quality time together immediately following an intense training session to assemble 56, yes that’s right, 56(!), gorgeous Easter Baskets for kids that aren’t feeling so well. For the second year in a row, the Easter Baskets were donated to The Children’s Hospital of Denver, which unfortunately happens to currently be at full capacity. The great news is the PR Team more than doubled our donation of last year, and are sure to bring Easter happiness to a whole bunch of these sweet children! Pictured are aides from Children’s Hospital with some of the PR Easter baskets.

DECEMBER, 2006

LET NO CHILD BE FORGOTTEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
The PR Fitness and Figure Team, along with several special honorary team members and significant others, ended our 2006 year of sharing with a nice warm spot in our hearts! We were fortunate to be able to put a twinkle in the eyes of many young children on Christmas morning this holiday season. Most of us are able to take for granted a Christmas Eve visit by Santa. However, there are far too many children who miss this anticipation and excitement through no fault of their own, simply because they have no permanent place to call home. For the second year in a row, boxes full of beautiful toys and games were donated to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH). As one of its many services for families in need, the CCH has a well-organized system for distributing the toys to children of homeless parents in the metro area with the help of their very own Santa. A big thanks goes to everyone who donated to this special cause!

NOVEMBER, 2006

THE WOMEN OF WARREN VILLAGE LOVE FITNESS, TOO!
A roomful of women eager to learn what it takes to become Performance Ready joined our coach and trainer, Carla Sanchez, at their Warren Village learning center for an evening filled with information on living the fitness lifestyle. Carla tailored a nutrition and fitness seminar especially for the residents, and afterward had nothing but great things to say about these fabulous ladies and their genuine interest in absorbing everything she had to say. A phone call from Carla later that same evening revealed how much the Warren Village residents actually inspired HER! Warren Village exists so that low-income, single parent families achieve sustainable personal and economic self-sufficiency. This Performance Ready seminar was a big hit, and will certainly assist the residents in achieving fitness and nutrition self-sufficiency as well. For more information on Warren Village, please visit www.warrenvillage.org. Thank you, Carla!

PR TEAM PROVIDES SUPPLIES FOR ORPHANAGE IN UGANDA
The PR Fitness and Figure Team had a unique opportunity to provide supplies for the Good Shepherd’s Fold Orphanage in Uganda, Africa, sponsored by Global Outreach. We certainly had never heard of such a place, and here is how it happened: Carla Sanchez’s mom, Angie, has a co-worker named Steadman Harrison who is on a sabbatical from their company and is doing missionary work in Uganda. Just by chance, Angie forwarded Steadman’s request for supplies to her daughters, and the rest is history! Unfortunately, many of the children in this particular orphanage are not only without a traditional family, but they are dealing with the day-to-day challenges of AIDS and Malaria as well. Steadman and his wife Alyssa are traveling back to Uganda in November 2006, and are obviously endeared to the PR Team for all the goodies we donated. It gives us all such a warm-fuzzy feeling knowing the children at Good Shepherd’s Fold will appreciate the generosity of the PR Girls equally as much.

OCTOBER, 2006

PR GIRLS RACE FOR THE CURE!
After being spoiled for a few days’ worth of 75 degree temperatures in Denver, several PR Fitness and Figure Team members showed that it takes more than clouds and cool weather to keep them indoors when they showed up for the 14th Annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure! The PR girls joined more than 65,395 other supporters in Denver in the fight against breast cancer on October 8th. They happily completed a worthwhile cardio session on Race Day by participating in the 5K Run/Walk, and as a result, helped those challenged by breast cancer obtain care, support and hope. Great job, PR Girls!

AUGUST, 2006

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR DENVER’S LESS FORTUNATE
The Performance Ready Team participated in a school supply drive for the children at Warren Village in Denver for their annual “Backpack Project.” School starts August 21st! Warren Village is a non-profit program that exists to help low-income single parent families achieve sustainable personal and economic self-sufficiency. Warren Village helps motivate low-income, single parents to move from public assistance to self-sufficiency through subsidized housing, on-site childcare, counseling, and education or job training. Applicants who are accepted into the program must be committed to making changes in their lives, and must routinely prove this commitment. Please visit www.warrenvillage.org for additional information about this wonderful organization.

APRIL, 2006

EASTER BUNNIES THREE YEARS HOPPING!
For the third consecutive year, the world’s fittest and prettiest Easter Bunnies followed through on their undying dedication to provide Easter Baskets to children in need. Our day began with a very informative and entertaining supplement and nutrition seminar by Jose Antonio, Ph.D., our Team “nutritionist-know-it-all,” along with our very own Glamour Jock Coach, Carla Sanchez. Then, the Performance Ready Fitness and Figure Easter Bunnies donated all the materials and goodies, as well as their time, to assemble 25 beautiful Easter Baskets to be distributed to children residing at The Children’s Hospital of Denver. These kids do not have the good fortune of participating in Easter Egg Hunts, but instead must spend their Easter Sunday in the hospital, and we hope we helped brighten their day. Once again, way to go, PR Girls!

DECEMBER, 2005

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!
The PR Team completed a year filled with generosity with one final act of holiday kindness. We were also fortunate to have a number of others join our cause, including many of Carla’s personal training clients and Run the Rocks class participants. Far too many children will not have the opportunity to experience the excitement and anticipation of Santa coming down the chimney with his sack of toys. As hard as it is for many of us to imagine, this is simply because these children have no place to call home. Over 30 toys, including beautiful stuffed animals, books, dolls, games and a Denver Broncos jacket, were brought to the PR Holiday Party at Zengo, and were donated to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. During the Christmas 2004 season, the Coalition distributed 450 toys to children of homeless parents in the metro area. This year they expect to reach approximately the same number of families, and could not have been more gracious in receiving our gifts. Merry Christmas, little ones!

NOVEMBER, 2005

SENIORS LOVE THE HOLIDAYS, TOO!
One thing is certain: the vehicle that toted around a trunk stuffed completely full of non-perishable food items for two weeks lost an average of five miles per gallon as a result! The PR Fitness and Figure Team once again went far above the call of duty when asked to donate non-perishable food items for holiday baskets provided to low-income senior citizens through the Denver-based Senior Answers and Services group. On an annual basis, the food and basic toiletries are donated, sorted, packed in holiday baskets, and delivered to nearly 200 pre-selected area seniors in need. Most of these elderly citizens have no family or close friends to share a holiday meal, but will certainly know someone cares about sharing the spirit of the season with them when they receive their baskets. Thank you, PR girls! www.senioranswers.org

OCTOBER, 2005

IN THE PINK!
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the PR Fitness and Figure Team joined 62,201 other participants to take part in the Komen Denver Race for the Cure. Denver secured its position as the largest Race in the country this year! This was the best year yet in terms of fundraising, with the Denver Race netting $2.5 million. Sadly, the fight is far from over. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 13 seconds. The mission of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research, education, screening and treatment. www.raceforthecure.com

MARCH, 2005

PR PLAYS EASTER BUNNY AGAIN!
For the second year in a row, the Performance Ready Fitness and Figure Team had a great time playing Easter Bunny! We followed a physically exhausting morning of Red Rocks and our PR Team Workout at The Point Athletic Club with a fun-filled Easter Basket making event. A couple brave souls just two weeks from competition proved their strong willpower by filling dozens of plastic eggs with lots of yummy chocolate, but never dared let a taste pass their focused minds or lips! Thirty-one bountiful Easter baskets were assembled and donated to children whose mothers are currently enrolled in computer and construction skills courses through the Mi Casa Resource Center for Women, Inc. Mi Casa Resource Center for Women, Inc. was established nearly 30 years ago to advance self-sufficiency for primarily low-income Latinas and youth. They offer an array of prevention, education, and training programs to help women and youth maintain healthy lifestyles, increase earning potential, and overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. The recipients at Mi Casa were equally as filled with gratitude as the donated Easter baskets were filled with goodies. www.micasadenver.org

DECEMBER, 2004

BARBIES, BAUBLES, AND BATH BUBBLES GALORE!
The Performance Ready Team had a great time selecting and wrapping ultra-girlie-girl Christmas gifts for less fortunate little princesses. The PR Team carefully selected over 30 Christmas gifts for little girls, then wrapped and donated them to the Jeffco Action Center. The Jeffco Action Center assists low-income parents in selecting gifts for their children during the holiday season through their Santa’s Workshop. Over 5,000 gifts were distributed by this charitable organization. Once again, way to go, PR Team! www.jeffcoaDc.org

SENIORS IN NEED
The generosity of the PR Team never ceases to amaze us! Lots and lots of bags full of non-perishable food items and toiletries were donated to help low-income senior citizens with the Senior Answers and Services group. The food and other items we donated were sorted, packed in holiday baskets, and delivered to 200 pre-selected area seniors in need the week of December 16th. www.senioranswers.org

SUGAR COOKIES FOR THE CUTEST KIDS!
The PR Team hosted a Holiday Cookie Decorating Party at the Ronald McDonald House on Monday, December 10th. We arrived with all the baked sugar cookies (generously donated by Cookies in Bloom), frosting, and decorations, and were completely in charge of running the show. Fortunately there were very few ill kids at Children’s Hospital that particular evening. However, it forced us to run through the Ronald McDonald House knocking on doors to try to gather some willing participants. Within a short time we had a kitchen full of kids and adults alike sharing in the decorating fun! Some kids quietly and neatly decorated their snowmen and bells, while others went wild with the frosting and literally had it spread from head to toe! This is something we all agree we want to do again next year. www.rmhc.com

OCTOBER, 2004

PR IN THE PINK!
Several enthusiastic Performance Ready Team members showed up on a beautiful Sunday morning in the Rocky Mountains to participate in the 2004 Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure on October 3rd. We were swimming in a sea of pink made up of over 63,000 registered participants, the largest race in the nation! The event raised over $2.3 million for breast cancer treatment, screening and research. It was a true celebration of survivorship, as well as a tribute to those who unfortunately lost their lives to the disease. Even though the U.S. Postal Service Team had us slightly outnumbered with over 1,200 participants, we had a great time and a lot of good laughs! Most importantly though, we were honored to be able to count our own blessings and to do something that genuinely makes a difference. www.raceforthecure.com

MARCH, 2004

IT’S THE PR EASTER BUNNY!
On March 27th, 2004, the generous Performance Ready Team performed yet another wonderful service for those less fortunate. We had an absolute blast putting together 27 beautiful Easter Baskets overflowing with candy, toys, and lots of PR love! This was not as easy as it may seem: five strong-willed PR team members were exactly one week away from competition, yet didn’t allow one piece of chocolate to cross their lips! The baskets were donated to the Denver Rescue Mission for their annual Easter Dinner, and this charitable organization could not have been any more gracious. The evening news featured the most precious little boy all dressed up in his Sunday best being handed his Easter basket. The look of sheer joy on his face was truly heartwarming (and a little tear-jerking!). Over 350 meals were served that day to those in need, and the PR Team is proud to have put so many smiles on so many little faces that day. Way to go, girls! www.denverrescuemission.org