The following is an article I wrote for the Fitness page of NJL's website. Earn 'N Burn and Gamin' Ride are potential advertisers for NJL and I was responsible for contacting the founder, gathering information and writing up an article featuring the Earn 'N Burn fundraiser.
Link to Article
Earn N Burn
A unique New Jersey school fundraiser called “Earn N Burn,” dedicated to battling childhood obesity, is returning for an all-school, all-fitness event where kids can win prizes and burn calories while earning money for their schools. The program raised over $1 million for schools in New Jersey and New York last year alone.
Earn N Burn was founded by Michael Falgares, who now serves as CEO of a fitness-oriented gaming company known called Gamin’ Ride. Falgres spent five years as an educator and noticed that childhood obesity was becoming a problem. Another problem he noticed was the PTA fundraisers he was frequently a part of, which typically revolved around selling junk food. Though raising money for the school was beneficial, the products sold did not benefit children at all.
“I knew I needed to create something that would solve the issue of fundraising, but also combat the epidemic of childhood obesity,” Falgares explained.
By combining children’s interests and wellbeing, Falgares developed the idea of the Earn N Burn Fundraiser. The merging of video games, fitness, and money leads to greater benefits for schools and kids, he says.
Earn N Burn uses a video game called iDance (or Interactive Dance) similar to the Dance Dance Revolution game. The game is able to engage 150 students simultaneously, using a movie theater-sized screen. Students gain immediate feedback on their progress and calories burnt, Falgares explained.
Earn N Burn is kicked off with a 20 minute Pep Rally where Falgares’ Earn N Burn team educate and motivate the students. Students raise money by having sponsors pledge money that allows the children to play the game and be eligible for prizes.
The more a student raises, the more prizes he or she will have the opportunity to win. Over $1,000 worth of prizes are offered and promoted at the Pep Rally. Three weeks later, a full day of iDance exercise and prize winning takes place. The school keeps 70% of the gross profit earned.
The Earn N Burn program has been met with great success and feedback from students, parents, and teachers alike, Falgares said. Earn N Burn is a great time for everyone and benefits an excellent cause too, he emphasized.
“With other fundraisers the students have to sell items that have nothing to do with promoting something positive,” said Falgares. “With Earn N Burn there are so many lessons, including public speaking, compassion, respect, honesty, teamwork, and more that are taught while the students earn money and burn calories.”
For more information on the Earn N Burn program, visit earnnburn.com.
