Home 
News Business GETTING IN SHAPE AND SUPPORTING THE TROOPS
GETTING IN SHAPE AND SUPPORTING THE TROOPS
 Curves owner Vanessa Hagedorn donates $5 to the local Support The Troops fund for every five pounds (or 12 inches) her members lose. (The Observer/PHIL BULLOCK). Bill Rautenstrauch The Observer At the La Grande branch of Curves for Women, ladies trim down, get fit, grow healthy and help local military families while they're at it. It's all part of a program begun in 2004 by Curves owner Vanessa Hagedorn, who donates $5 to the local Support The Troops fund for every five pounds (or 12 inches) her members lose. Hagedorn started her program which recently garnered a hefty matching grant in October 2004, after many local soldiers belonging to the Third Battalion, 116th Armored Cavalry were called for duty in Iraq. The Union County Chamber of Commerce had begun the Support The Troops program to raise money to help families of 3/116th soldiers and those who might be called overseas in the future. Hagedorn decided it was a worthwhile cause. "Curves is a place to exercise, and it's a social place, too," Hagedorn said. "A lot of our members had husbands who went, and I had friends in the unit," she said. The 3/116th returned home in November, but Support The Troops continues its fundraising efforts. So does the Curves program. "We're going to just keep on with it," Hagedorn said. With 9,000 locations the world over, Curves International bills itself as the world's largest fitness club. The Curves program features a 30-minute circuit training workout for women, combined with advice on good nutrition. Members set goals for themselves and strive to achieve them. Progress is carefully measured, and records are kept. Since the amount of weight or inches lost is a known quantity, Hagedorn has no trouble figuring out how much money to donate to Support The Troops. "We weigh and measure each member every month, and we have a computer program that keeps track. It's part of the membership," Hagedorn said. On its own, the La Grande Curves has donated more than $1,300 to Support the Troops since October 2004. When the local donation topped $1,000, Hagedorn was qualified to apply for a matching grant from the Gary and Diane Heavin Community Fund. The grant came through, doubling the Curves total. The Heavins are the founders of Curves International and started the Community Fund from their personal funds. They specified that all the money for the La Grande grant came from the Community Fund and not from Curves International. The purpose of the fund is to encourage franchises and members to be actively involved in their communities. "Curves members are typically some of the best supporters of the community and we appreciate the encouragement and support we get from Gary and Diane," Hagedorn said. Judy Loudermilk, Union County Chamber executive director, said she is impressed with the fact that Hagedorn helps the Support The Troops program on an on-going basis. "She's so consistent. She's found a way to take Support The Troops into her business and help. It's a great link between business and community," Loudermilk said. Support the Troops isn't Hagedorn's only philanthropic cause. Annually, her franchise participates in Curves' nationwide food drive for local food banks. "Last year we donated 800 pounds of food to Neighbor to Neighbor, and this year we hope to bring in even more," Hagedorn said. Through March 11, new members bringing in a bag of groceries had the service fees on a 12-month membership waived. Until March 31, Hagedorn also is offering a number of in-club incentives to members who chip in. Hagedorn became owner of the La Grande Curves franchise nearly two years ago, following several years as a member. She bought the business from her friend Michelle Bell. When she was interviewed for this article, Hagedorn noted that a "For Sale" sign is planted in the grass outside the building the business occupies at the corner of Fourth Street and C Avenue. She said she gets a lot of questions about it. But what's for sale is the rented building, not her franchise. "Curves is not for sale," she said. "I'm enjoying the business I'm in. I'm having a lot of fun." |
