Last month, we shared the story behind Matthew Bellina and his mission to raise money for ALS, a devastating disease that he was diagnosed with at the young age of 31.

The Newtown Athletic Club (NAC) and Jim Worthington, NAC Owner, President, have raised $180,000 for Matt’s Mission and Augie’s Quest to fight ALS through cutting edge research being done now at the ALS Therapy Development Institute in Cambridge, MA.  This campaign began officially in January of this year and is just now culminating with the occurrence of Augie’s Bash for ALS in Los Angeles.

The NAC created Matt’s Mission to support their annual fundraising for Augie’s Quest and ALS.  Matt is Matt Bellina, a NAC member who has been diagnosed with ALS at the tender young age of 31.  When Jim Worthington learned of Matt’s situation and his close connection to ALS TDI (Matt is receiving stem cell treatment there) and Augie’s Quest, the circle was complete.  Matt became the local face of the cause.

Matt’s story as well as Augie’s story are at the heart of this.  Matt was a Navy pilot who sacrificed for his country for many years and now he and his family are facing this tremendous challenge.  Augie Nieto, the founder of Life Fitness Equipment for Gyms and health clubs, a giant in the fitness industry, was diagnosed with ALS 10 years ago and has to date raised over $45 million for ALS research.   IHRSA, the largest trade association for health clubs in the world has supported Augie’s Quest for 10 years.  With clubs like the NAC behind them, this fierce fight will continue.

The goal for Matt’s Mission was to raise $50,000 through corporate sponsorships, member and community donations through an online portal, a swimathon for the NAC Attack Swim Club, a Chinese auction and a major workout event called Matt’s Marathon.

Matt’s Marathon took place on February 28th with over 300 people exceeding the goal of $50,000 and raised $80,000 thanks to some very generous private donations, not only from Jim Worthington, but from NAC member Bill McAllister (each $10,000) and others.  Friends of Matt’s family walked in with $5,000 checks among others.

As if this weren’t enough, the fundraising is continuing and the NAC has pledged to raise the $80,000 to $100,000.  They are on the way, but can still take donations at their website (if you are a member) and online at Eventbrite.com/Matt’s Mission for ALS (if you are member of the community).

All of this fundraising culminated in a 10th Anniversary Augie’s Quest Bash in Los Angeles at the International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association Conference and Trade show on March 13, 2015.  At the show Mr. Worthington generously donated through live and silent auction and additional pledges another $80,000, to bring the NAC’s total contribution to $180,000.   Mr. Worthington commented that “I was happy and honored to personally contribute at such a significantly higher level to support Matt and as a thank you to Augie for his lifetime contributions as well as to IHRSA for all that they have done for us.”  Just to put it into perspective, it is staggering to think that the NAC’s contribution of $180,000 is 10% of the $1.8 million raised at Augie's Quest this year.  This is the most that any single club location has given.

According to Linda Mitchell, NAC Director of Public Relations, “None of this would have been possible without the support of our NAC members, our business associates, Augie’s Quest, ALS TDI, NAC owner, Jim Worthington, and Matt and Caitlin Bellina.”  “Making Lives Better” is the motto of the NAC and as one NAC member recently put it, the NAC is a “center for healing.”

They hope that Matt’s Mission, which they will repeat again next year, will lead to the healing of many and hopefully the obliteration of ALS.

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