Aevitas is going all out this year in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and we have decide that September will be our “Mental Health Awareness Month”!
There are lots of ways you can join in on the effort, support the cause, and hopefully learn some valuable new information around mental health and local resources!
In particular, Aevitas is encouraging participation in our “Mental Health Awareness Month” with the following three options:
1) Attend our annual Skinner Memorial WOD on Saturday, September 23rd
2) Participate in this year’s Out of the Darkness Walk in Saratoga on Sunday, September 24th
3) Challenge yourself (and maybe win a prize!) with our 2023 Mental Health BINGO Challenge
Keep reading to learn more about how exactly to get involved this year!
1) 2023 Skinner Memorial WOD
Event Details at a Glance:
Date: Saturday, September 23rd
Location: Both Aevitas Locations (though the main event is at Round Lake!)
Time: 8:00AM & 9:15AM WOD times
Cost: Free for Aevitas members; donations welcome (see below for details)
– NOTE: Non-member drop-in fee ($20) will go to AFSP
What is the Skinner WOD?
The Skinner WOD was created in 2017 as a memorial workout dedicated to Round Lake member Brian Skinner, who was lost tragically to suicide earlier that year. The workout was designed to include the two things Brian loved most about the gym: smashing barbells and having a crazy fun time!
Throughout the years we have kept the Skinner WOD in place and its purpose has morphed from a memorial to one person, to an annual reminder that mental health IS health, and that everyone needs to lean on their community now and then. We have teamed up with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to come and share educational materials, and have asked different community members to speak about their own experiences with mental health, losing loved ones, etc. The event has become a day of remembrance as well as an educational opportunity for our gym community.
The actual “Skinner WOD”:
I. 7 Min to Establish a 1RM Snatch
II. 14 Min AMRAP
- 12 Handstand Push-ups
- 12 Sit-ups
- 12 Shoulder to Overhead (155/105)
- 1 Bar Muscle-up
III. 7 Min to Establish a 1RM Clean & Jerk
Why September This Year?
Traditionally, we have hosted the Skinner WOD as an end-of-year event in December. However this year, we’d like to partner up more closely with the local AFSP efforts, and are therefore hosting in September.
The Skinner Memorial WOD at Aevitas will be on Saturday, September 23rd to coincide with this year’s Out of the Darkness Capital Region Walk for R.I.T.A. on Sunday, September 24th!
How To Get Involved
This one is easy – just show up at the gym to workout with us on Saturday, September 23rd! You are also more than welcome to bring a cash donation (or donate to the cause through our Venmo link), and your contribution will go directly to the AFSP! If using the Venmo link, please use the word “Skinner” in the the payment description, so we make sure it gets allocated!
If you would like to bring friends (experienced CrossFitters only, please!), their drop-in fee will also go directly to the cause!
– Please note that due to the advanced-skill nature of this WOD, this is NOT the day to bring friends & family who do not have adequate CrossFit experience. If your friends and family would like to get involved with our efforts this year, please see Options 2 and 3 below!
2) 2023 Out of the Darkness Capital Region Walk for R.I.T.A.
Event Details at a Glance:
Date: Sunday, September 24th
Location: Saratoga Spa State Park – Orenda Pavilion
Time: Check-in 9:00AM; walk starts 11:00AM
Cost: Free (Registration HERE); donations welcome (see below for details)
How To Get Involved
Whether you are planning to attend the walk or not, please consider donating to Lance Meeson’s team using the link below.
If you can make it to the walk, make sure to wear an Aevitas shirt so we can all find each other at registration and walk together!
DONATE TO LANCE MEESON’S TEAM
3) September 2023 Mental Health BINGO Challenge
Our third and final option to get involved in this year’s efforts is to participate in our Mental Health BINGO Challenge!
Anyone can participate, and by entering you will automatically be placed in a drawing for a prize at the end of the month!
How To Get Involved
To participate in the Mental Health BINGO challenge and be eligible for a prize, please complete the donation ($20) form linked below. All donations will go directly to AFSP.
After placing your donation, you will be brought to a page with the BINGO card that you may print out on your own – OR pick up a printed card at the gym.
PURCHASE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH BINGO CHALLENGE CARD
Prize Drawing Notes:
To be eligible for a prize, all you have to do is purchase the BINGO card using the donation link.
A SECOND prize drawing will be held for anyone who is able to complete 20+ squares on the card AND brings their card into the gym by Saturday, September 30th!
*Depending on the number of participants, we will choose between 1 and 3 winners for the “general” drawing, and an additional 1-3 winners for the “completed card” drawing. Winners will be announced the first week in October.
Thank you for participating in this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month activities at Aevitas!
