First responders receive donation of fitness equipment

Roanoke, Virginia – On Wednesday morning, first responders in Roanoke had a big task ahead of them as they lifted a very generous donation.

Planet Fitness at Towers Shopping Center is receiving new strength and cardio equipment valued at over $200,000. Additionally, the company sent the Bedford Police Department and Roanoke Fire-EMS more than 200 components that needed to be replaced.

“They are very valuable to the community,” General Manager Jordan Rodgers said of the first responders. “We couldn’t be happier to be donating this equipment to them and just supporting them in their role.”

“It was a really great feeling,” added Corporate Sales Manager Matt Gallopo, “to donate to such a great cause.”

The donation was much appreciated, according to representatives of the two organizations.

“Being a smaller agency with a smaller budget, it’s really difficult to get just about anything we would need, let alone exercise equipment, so we partnered with them and they very generously donated us a lot of things that we can use,” said Bedford Police Lieutenant Stephen Swain.

“Not only are these items that we need, but these items are just about in brand new condition, which are going to be awesome for our firefighters to utilize to stay fit,” said Rhett Fleitz, Roanoke Fire EMS Battalion Chief of Training.

The equipment that the Roanoke firefighters loaded onto two trucks will eventually be divided among the city’s training center, eleven fire stations, and other departments.