PUHI — Jack and Kay Leonard have witnessed firsthand the miracles accomplished by the Children’s Miracle Network. “We have one of our gymnasts who was involved in an auto accident and sent to the Kapiolani Children’s Hospital,” Kay Leonard said
PUHI — Jack and Kay Leonard have witnessed firsthand the miracles accomplished by the Children’s Miracle Network.
“We have one of our gymnasts who was involved in an auto accident and sent to the Kapiolani Children’s Hospital,” Kay Leonard said during one of the Kaua‘i Gymnastics Academy practices, Tuesday. “Four months later, this young person was back on the bars as if nothing had happened.”
That prompted the couple of Kaua‘i’s only gymnastics facility to start a week-long collection for the Children’s Miracle Network as part of National Gymnastics Day celebration, this Saturday.
USA Gymnastics, the governing body for gymnastics in the United States, has declared Saturday “National Gymnastics Day,” states a release from Kaua‘i Gymnastics Academy.
National Gymnastics Day is celebrated by thousands of gymnasts and gymnastic clubs across the country by holding open houses, exhibitions at local malls and parks, doing the Tyson Fitness Challenge, and raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network, states the USA Gymnastics Web site.
USA Gymnastics has challenged its members to use the occasion to not only celebrate gymnastics, but to also raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
“Kaua‘i Gymnastics Academy will celebrate for a full week through Sept. 14,” said Kay Leonard. “We’ll have a donation jar at the gym for classes throughout the week to allow our class gymnasts and their families to contribute.”
The Tyson Fitness Challenge culminates on the 10th Annual National Gymnastics Day, providing the ultimate opportunity to promote the ideals of physical fitness and community service to youth nationwide, states the USA Gymnastics Web site.
Partnering with the Children’s Miracle Network, gymnastics clubs are able to showcase their club’s talents while raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Donations for the Children’s Miracle Network, the alliance of premier hospitals for children, will support a designated local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
USA Gymnastics, through its network of clubs across the nation, has raised more than $1 million for the Children’s Miracle Network since 2001 when the partnership was formed. Clubs raised a record $201,203.16 in 2008, the USA Gymnastics Web site states.
“At least one of our gymnasts has benefited from the expert skills of the Kapiolani Hospital staff, and there are probably more stories we just aren’t privy to,” Kay Leonard said. “Contributions made at the Kaua‘i Gymnastics Academy go to help Kapiolani Hospital because it is the designated recipient for money donated on Kaua‘i.”
Leonard invites the public to drop by the Puhi facility and show their support for the Kapiolani Hospital by adding to the gymnasts’ efforts.
Kaua‘i Gymnastics Academy is open after school hours until 8, or 9 p.m. and located at 1536 Haleukana Street in the Puhi Industrial Park.
Kaua‘i Gymnastics Academy offers general gymnastics classes for people ages 3 through adults. It features three non-competitive teams and offers tumbling and back handspring classes for cheerleaders.
For more information, call 245-8863, or visit its Web site at www.kauaigymnastics.com.
