By Taylor Boyd
Blacksburg Health & Fitness at The Weight Club in Blacksburg is holding a virtual Promise Run to raise money for Hulk’s Helping Hand Rescue and Sanctuary 501c3.
Christie Heslip, general manager of the club, said the non-profit organization first heard about the rescue after a staff member adopted a puppy from Hulk’s.
“We all fell in love with her, so we all started kind of looking into what Hulk’s was. I dug in pretty deep because I was interested in getting a small dog,” she said.
After researching Hulk’s mission, history, and what the rescue is trying to do, Heslip discovered that the organization’s funds were limited, particularly because it relies heavily on donations.
“It kind of pulled at my heart, especially after I read the Hulk’s story,” she said, adding that she “can’t even talk about the Hulk’s story without tearing up.”
Hulk’s is a non-profit animal rescue in Meadows of Dan that was started by Elizabeth “Liz” Whiteley in 2016 in honor of Hulk, a dog Whiteley was fostering for another rescue.
After receiving Hulk, Whiteley immediately took him to an ER veterinarian where it was determined he had an intestinal blockage and needed to see a specialist vet, who removed several sections of rope he had swallowed months prior that left him unable to digest properly.
Whiteley said this event gave her a wakeup call about the needs of shelter animals.
“I made a vow that if he pulled through the first surgery he had, that I would do whatever it took to save more dogs like him,” she said.
Heslip said the club wanted to do something to help the rescue, but is too far away to volunteer.
“We just wanted to do something, and it seemed like raising money would be the best way we could help,” she said.
The club decided on a virtual run to reach out to people all over that follow the rescue and the gym. “We want people to walk – that’s what we’re about, promoting fitness and getting people active. We get to do what we do and also raise money for something we are very passionate about,” she said.
Heslip said the gym decided to name the event The Promise Run due to one of Whiteley’s sayings.
“Liz has that phrase she uses ‘keeping the promise.’ So, we wanted to make the name means something with what Hulks is and what Liz is doing,” she said.
Heslip added the event’s goal is to raise $2,500. She noted the organization has so far raised a little more than $1,000.
The Promise Run has three different levels to ensure that everyone can compete at some level. There is the 1-mile Fun Run, which costs $20; the $30 5k, and the $50 10k.
Prizes are also awarded for completing the levels with a t-shirt being given for the Fun Run, a long-sleeved hooded T-shirt for completing the 5k, and a long-sleeved shirt and a beanie cap for the 10k.
The Hulks Helping Hands Promise Run is Saturday, Nov. 20 to Friday, Nov. 26.
To register for the Promise Run, go to www.runsignup.com and search for “Hulks Helping Hands Promise Run.” Registration ends November 26 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Donations can be made on website to register for the run, or by going to https://www.hulkshelpinghandrescue.com and accessing their Amazon wish list, or on their Facebook page, Hulks Helping Hand Rescue 501c3. Monetary donations can be sent via PayPal to hulkshelpinghandrescue.com, or by mail to Hulk’s Helping Hand Rescue, P.O. Box 796, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120.
