Press: NuStep Steps Up To The Challenge
March 30, 2009
CHELSEA, MI - What started as a friendly rivalry between two area retirement communities produced a triple win for seniors on Friday night at the Alzheimer Association’s Summer Somewhere Daytona 2009 fundraiser. It all started with an affable bidding war for a NuStep T5xr Recumbent Cross Trainer, donated for the silent auction by the event’s top sponsor, NuStep, Inc.
Ray Rabidoux, president and CEO of Glacier Hills Retirement Community in Ann Arbor, and John Thorhauer, president and CEO of United Methodist Retirement Communities in Chelsea, each set out to win the high-tech cross trainer for their residents.
According to Mr. Thorhauer, “Ray challenged me to see who would win and I never turn down a challenge. I couldn’t pass up the chance to take the trainer back to Chelsea.”
It wasn’t long before the bidding had reached a substantial amount, at which point Mr. Rabidoux approached NuStep vice president of sales and marketing Steve Sarns with an idea that would not only end the competition, but give a huge boost in support to the Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter (MGLC), which serves 23 counties in southwestern and western Michigan.
“I asked Steve if he would donate another trainer if we would equal the bid,” said Mr. Rabidoux. “He agreed, with the result that residents at each of the retirement communities will have the benefit of the latest in exercise technology and the Alzheimer’s Association will have $8000 to support their programs. It’s good that we can get together to help them out.”
Elizabeth Longley, MGLC president and CEO, was delighted as she announced the outcome of the bidding war to event attendees. As she said later, “We have excellent relations with all of the senior facilities in the area and work with them on a regular basis. They provide continuing support, but this is huge – and a total surprise. Of course it couldn’t have happened without NuStep’s amazing support of the Alzheimer’s Association. They continually step up to help us however they can.”
Addressing the crowd earlier in the evening, Mr. Sarns had spoken of the pride that NuStep takes in supporting the Alzheimer Association’s work. As for the donation of the second trainer, he said, “It was a fantastic donation by Glacier Hills and the Methodist Community and it added to the excitement of the event. The two trainer units will benefit their residents and the donations will help the Alzheimer’s Association continue its important work, providing information and support to those affected by this devastating disease.”
NuStep has been top sponsor for each of the three Summer Somewhere events held by the chapter, and will be providing their recumbent cross trainer products as part of an upcoming “We Walk” education and exercise program that the chapter will be implementing in the near future at assisted living facilities throughout the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter service area.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The Association is dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s. For more than 25 years, the donor-supported Alzheimer’s Association has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes. For more information, call 1.800.272.3900 or visit www.alz.org.
About NuStep, Inc.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., NuStep, Inc. is the manufacturer of the NuStep Recumbent Cross Trainers. These patented machines were developed by exercise physiologists to help people stay in motion regardless of physical condition. The company's products are used at fitness, wellness and rehabilitation centers around the world, including the Mayo Clinic, the University of Michigan, the Cleveland Clinic and the Duke Center for Living. For more information, call 800-322-2209 or visit www.nustep.com.