Linda Mitchell, the director of marketing, public relations and charitable giving for the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC) in Newtown, Pa. was awarded the Julie Main Woman Leader Scholarship Award at the 2012 IHRSA 21st Annual Trade Show on March 16, 2012 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Instituted in 2009, the Julie Main Woman Leadership Award is awarded to the female who best exemplifies what Julie Main stood for before she passed away from breast cancer; courage, perseverance, excellence and professionalism. Main, a former owner of West Coast Athletic Clubs and past president of IHRSA, turned her struggle with breast cancer into support for families suffering from the illness through her Cancer Well-Fit(TM) Exercise Program.
“To somehow walk in the shadow of Julie Main for even a moment by receiving this award was the biggest honor I have ever or will ever receive. I was honored and humbled. After 30 years in the industry I have had the chance to meet and become friends with so many amazing people that I can hardly believe that I was selected for this recognition. The industry has fostered such talent and positive energy over the time that I have been involved that I cannot imagine being in another line of work,” said Mitchell.
In honor of Main, Mitchell was recognized for her 30 years of dedication to the health and fitness industry. Mitchell was applauded for her work with local charities and non-profit organizations through her many fundraising efforts through NAC. Her work has led to the implementation of countless fundraisers and facilitated sponsorships that have raised millions of dollars, and lead to the creation of the NAC Financial Assistance Program. The program provides discounted memberships to families and individuals in need.
Established in the 1990s, the Financial Assistance Program is part of NAC’s mission to offer assistance to NAC’s community. “As a for-profit business that pays both corporate and income taxes, we are thankful to our community for supporting us with memberships, so this program enabled us to give back in a way that allowed people to maintain their dignity, yet ask for the help they needed,” she said.
Mitchell and NAC have worked with numerous charities, such as the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Neighborhood Outreach and Clubs for the Cure. “We are motivated by two of our core principles — “We care and we include,” said Mitchell.
“It goes without saying that if you are successful in your business, community and industry, you owe it to those who support you to give back,” said Mitchell. “The return on investment for this effort is incalculable. The good will that we receive as a result of our community work infuses all that we do and has not only driven business, but drives the heart and soul of who we are as individuals both personally and professionally. We are the lucky ones.”
By Rachel Zabonick
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
