ROANOKE (WSLS)-- The Roanoke Valley is preparing to work out for a good cause. April 2 marks this year's Mission to Raise a Million Kilograms, and this year, the community will be lifting twice as much weight as the last event.
It's been nicknamed Version 2.2 because that's how many pounds there are in a kilogram, meaning more than 2.2 million pounds will be lifted next weekend.
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There are seven different weight lifting events throughout the day. Anyone, community member, active duty service or veteran, can sign up. By the end of the day, organizers hope that all of the weight lifted during repetitions will add up to more than one million kilograms.
But it's not just about the weight, the entire event is going to support veterans and service members through Operation Homefront. Last year, veterans played a huge role in the event, including one wounded veteran that trainer Jonathon Childress worked with. He says at one point she was almost 100% disabled.
"I got her to do ten repetitions on the floor in front of everyone," says Childress. "It was significant because when we first started, she couldn't move. She had zero functional capacity and was close to being dependent on others for everything. Now she's fully independent and is back doing the things that she thought she never would."
All of the money from ticket and t-shirt sales will go to benefit Operation Homefront, an organization that focuses on helping military families. Last year, more than $4,000 was raised and organizers are hoping to surpass that goal once again this year.
"It can get emotional," says Army Veteran, Brett Jones. "Anytime people are willing to sacrifice their Saturday afternoon for someone who has been sacrificing their lifestyle and their life, it's always nice to feel that support from the community."
The event will kick off Saturday, April 2 at Gold's Gym at Cave Spring Corners. For more information on how to sign up, click here.