Sounds of cheering carried down Railroad Drive.  Up ahead FitLife’s front lawn filled with youth.  A tug of war game was about to start.  It was Friday night and the beginning of the annual Eileen Stein Jacoby Fundraiser.

As soon as Evan Orchinik, FitLife’s co-owner, opened the front door to the fitness center, noise that drew up memories of a high school pep rally went up like confetti; it never came down. 

“We picked 15 kids who are members of the fitness center to go out and encourage their friends to form a team,” Orchinik began, explaining why his fitness center was full of kids, enthusiasm spilling over into everything they did.  “Each kid did something to raise money for breast cancer.  Some held bake sales.  Other kids asked for donations outside grocery stores.” 

Championing a Worthy Cause

As Orchinik raised his voice in an effort to be heard above the infectious noise, a grin broke out across his face.  “The kids raised $28,000 this year," he said. "We nearly doubled last year’s fundraising effort.”  And so they did, as youth raised $15,000 last year for the Eileen Stein Jacoby Fund. 

Not bad for an event that is in its second year.  Although FitLife donated the use of their facility for the evening, 100 percent of the money raised goes to the fund. 

“I’ve been doing sports performance training for 10 years,” Orchinik shared.  “We’ve been at the 157 Railroad Drive building for about one and a half years.  We want people to know we’re here.”

From the looks of the facility on Friday evening, the word is getting out.  Madison and her friend Katie stopped by the front desk.  “A friend was involved with the fundraiser and asked us to participate,” Madison began.  “This is my first year at the FitLife fundraiser.”

Linking Youth to a Brighter Future

The girls were working on their Council Rock Service Learning Program (L.I.N.C.S.) hours.  “It’s recommended that students at our school complete 60 hours of volunteer work before they graduate,” Madison added.

“Our L.I.N.C.S. hours get listed on our diplomas,” Katie said. Students who complete L.I.N.C.S. also have a note of the achievement placed on their official high school transcripts.  However, that wasn’t the only reason Madison and Katie got involved with the fundraiser.

“It’s fun,” Madison said.  “You get to hang with your friends while you’re here.”

Katie said she “Plans to participate again next year.”

Across from the front desk was a table lined with Eileen Stein Jacoby Fund fliers, Fox Chase Cancer Center hand outs and gift items.  Two volunteers, Sherry and Toni, worked the table.  “We got involved with the fundraiser because we knew Eileen,” Sherry said. 

“Her sister, Cheryl, is like family to us,” Toni added.

A Sister’s Story

“My sister passed when she was 45 years old,” Cheryl Hermann, sister to Eileen Stein Jacoby revealed.  “I started the fundraiser in 2000.  We hit the $1 million mark this year.  We’re being honored at Fox Chase on May 12 for hitting the $1 million mark.”

When asked what people can do if they suspect they might have cancer but are afraid to get tested, Hermann advised, “Think positive and get tested.”  She had a similar bit of advice for family members of people who have been medically diagnosed with the disease.  “Be supportive (of your relatives who are meeting the challenges of the disease) and think positive.”

Wendy Schwartz has been on the Eileen Stein Jacoby Fund foundation since it began.  “Last year I approached Cheryl about having an event at FitLife to get youth involved to become leaders.  It is working very well,” Schwartz said.  “We have friendly competitions,” she added, leaning across the front desk.  “Jillian (Cheryl’s daughter) raised $5,000 this year.  Alyssa (Wendy’s daughter) raised about $1,300.  One youth brought in two teams which equal 24 people,” she continued.  “Some kids raised $350; others raised $600.  Each kid only had to raise $100 to participate in tonight’s event.”

Enough Fun for Everyone

As Wendy finished speaking, a team of youth, their faces painted with purple dye, entered the main area.  One of the youths was Phil Weinberg.  “This is my first year at the event,” he said.  “It’s really fun. There’s a lot of stuff to do.”

Akin to Katie, Roger Sargente said he, “Plans to do it again next year.”

“I would recommend other kids get involved,” Jack Franklin interjected.  “It’s a good cause.”

Chris Parisse agreed.  “I run 5Ks for charities,” he said.  “This year I ran in the Greyhound 5K and the breast cancer fundraiser 5K.”

In addition to tug of war, other activities youth busied themselves with at FitLife included Zumba, aerobics, jump rope and agility drills.  Free pizza and bottled water were served throughout the evening. 

As the sky began to darken outside, teens played basketball at the back of the fitness center using a portable system topped with backboard and rim.  Another tug of war game ensued on the front lawn.  There was no sign of the events, or the energy, letting up anytime soon.

FitLife’s motto is “Training for excellence in sports performance and fitness.”  Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. the community focused fitness center was a primary Bucks County location for youth willing to roll up their sleeves and throw cancer a knock-out punch.