New location for 9th annual Spin Your Wheels fundraiser nets more participants, opportunities

Fox Chapel resident Gina Johnson knew when she walked through the doors of the Lauri Ann West Community Center the last Saturday in April that it was going to be for more than a routine workout.

The fitness enthusiast took part in a circuit class and wellness activities that day for charity.

Johnson and about 200 others participated in the ninth annual Spin Your Wheels fundraiser April 27.

In addition to spinning, classes included yoga, zumba and kickboxing. There also was a free sensory-friendly adapted yoga class.

Proceeds benefited Riding for the Handicapped of Western PA, a group that works to assist disabled children through therapeutic horseback riding.

“It’s a fantastic community event to raise money for a worthy charity,” said Johnson, a community center member. “I’m excited about participating today. Glad the sun’s out and glad the community center is supporting the event.”

The circuit class is a total body workout with various stations targeting different muscle groups.

Johnson and other participants also got their hair braided by A.W. Beattie Career Center cosmetology students.

The wellness area featured hand and nail painting, tarot card readings and licensed massage therapists giving chair massages. Vendors SiP and Three Little Birds Cafe & Juice Bar provided drink samples.

Joy Riders Pittsburgh had one of its adaptive bikes with a wheelchair on the front. The nonprofit is dedicated to helping individuals of all ages who have physical limitations enjoy a scenic ride in Pittsburgh along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

Other activities included gift baskets and raffles including an autographed hockey jersey from Pittsburgh Penguin Kris Letang, as well as the traditional wine and gift card bundles.

Former Aspinwall Council President Tim McLaughlin and his wife, Luann, tried their luck at the baskets.

McLaughlin said it is important to support community events.

Spin Your Wheels took place last year at the Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall.

The move to the center was largely because the O’Hara cycling business that provided the bikes has closed.

“We actually got more people this year because we were able to reach out to a bigger community of people,” event organizer Jennifer Evashavik said. “It’s been equally great. We were able to deal with the weather and it’s been good.

“All of our vendors were amazing, and they all said they would come back. As long as the center will have us, we’ll come back again next year. All the other instructors volunteered to do it.”

Spin classes expanded from 10 to 24 bikes per class as a result of the move.

Reaching the goal

The fundraising goal was $20,000.

Evashavik, a personal trainer and instructor at the community center, said she is confident the goal was reached.

However, actual totals may take a few days because of outside fundraising by participating vendors.

Money raised will go toward replacing the footing of the riding program’s arena at the Parkview Riding Stables just outside North Park.

Riding for the Handicapped Western PA helps at least 75 families a year. It was founded in 1979 by physical therapist Maria Kyne, who was inspired by Olympic equestrian Lis Hartel. Hartel revealed that exercise with a horse helped her to heal following polio, according to the organization’s website.

There are 11 therapy horses. About 80% of riders are children with autism or some other disability. Families come from all over Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties.

Participants ride the horses through courses, use various toys and navigate obstacles. Rides are about 45 minutes and are weekly for first-year families.

Director T.M. Abbott attended the fundraiser and was very impressed with what she saw.

“I think this is one of the best ones,” Abbott said. “(Jennifer’s) organization skills are unbelievable. Everybody’s happy, not one person’s crappy.”

Abbott said she was able to talk to attendees and share information about the program while distributing thank-you bags from Evashavik.

“I don’t know if we got more people (to sign up), but more people asked questions of how this benefits us and I was able to thank everybody that I handed a bag to,” Abbott said. “It’s wonderful for us.”