Girls in Heather Teagues cross-training class at Manson High School will get the chance to train with better equipment, thanks to a grant funded by Lake Chelan Community Hospital Foundation.

Chelan, WA, February 4, 2023: Manson community members and athletes will have a new reason to get fit. The Manson School District is updating its weight room to offer better and safer equipment and facilities to both students and community members as part of its community outreach efforts. The Lake Chelan Community Hospital Foundation is providing $10,000 to support this effort to encourage community wellness.

Were excited to fund a project that offers such a direct benefit to our community, said LCCH Foundation Vice President Dale Hoisington. We believe that everyone in our community should have access to resources that allow them to lead healthier lives.

The weight room renewal project is the first significant update to the facility since the 1980s. New flooring, safety updates, and equipment will accommodate both women and men of varying fitness abilities.

We currently have no womens training bars. I teach a cross-training class with 13 girls. There have been many times when female students were unable to learn a skill because the equipment was an inappropriate weight. This is defeating and perpetuates an attitude that does not support womens fitness. With the gift from the Foundation, were thrilled to be able to provide new equipment that accommodates all of our students, regardless of their current fitness level, said Manson High School Teacher Heather Teague.

With additional funding, the District will be able to make the needed safety updates to open the facility to community members free of charge. While the weight room will still be reserved for students during the school day, it will be opened to community members from 4:30-6:00pm on weekdays, with extended summer hours. During this time, educators will offer a Workout-of-the-Day, with supervision by a strength and conditioning coach.

The total cost of the project is $30,000 and will be completed in three phases. Manson School District provided funding for flooring and safety updates to begin the first phase. Manson HS teachers and educators donated over 40 hours of labor during this stage. The Foundations gift will allow the District to purchase needed equipment in its second phase of the project.

The Lake Chelan Community Hospital Foundation actively manages donor contributions, bequests, memorials, donor advised funds, endowments and an annual giving campaign. E a ch year the Foundation awards scholarships and assists the hospital to purchase necessary equipment to improve patient care.

The Foundation is incorporated and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Contributions are tax deductible under IRS regulations. For additional information, contact Lake Chelan Community Hospital Foundation at 509-682-6125. Donations to the Foundation can be made at www.lcchfoundation.com or sent to PO Box 1911, Chelan, WA 98816.