By: Krystal Smalley
Ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

When it comes to developing a fundraiser that not only focuses on Relay for Life, fitness and fun times, for Brittany Arnett, there was only one answer: Zumba.

Zumba is a workout system that uses Latin and International music in “fitness-parties” led by instructors. The program was founded in 2001 and soon swept the nation as classes popped up in gyms, fitness centers, and community centers. Locally, Zumba classes are held at the Good Hope Lutheran Church, Crestline North School, The Body Shop in Galion and the American Legion Post 181 in Bucyrus.

Latin music echoed down from the upstairs room at the American Legion where women of all ages gathered for the upbeat dance class. This is where Arnett attends her Zumba classes nearly every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. She picked up Zumba in order to lose weight after having her children.

“I wanted to lose weight, I started Weight Watchers,” said Arnett, “and a girl I know told me about the class and I started. I started in the back of the class and it was hard at first but now I’m in the front of the class. I love it.”

Arnett added that the fitness program doesn’t feel like exercise when they dance. She’s done it for two years now.

“I lost over 60 pounds by doing it (Zumba) and eating healthy,” Arnett explained. But fitness is not the only reward she reaps from Zumba.

“It’s mind, body and soul. It’s not just fitness,” said Arnett. “I think when you’re dancing you feel good about yourself and you walk away from it with a better attitude and you just feel good about yourself, I think. I do,” she added with a little laugh.

“The instructors, they’re all in their 50’s,” Arnett said. “That makes you be like, ‘oh my goodness, they’re doing it so why can’t I?’ Why can’t somebody in their 70’s and why can’t somebody in their teens (do it)?” Arnett reasoned.

Arnett found it inspiring that women of all ages were taking the time to care for their bodies. That thought naturally led to finding a way to incorporate Zumba into a fundraiser.

Arnett was named team captain of the Ohio Mutual Insurance Group Relay for Life Team after volunteering for the position. Though Ohio Mutual has had Relay for Life teams in the past, it fell by the wayside in recent years when it failed to drum up enough interest.

Arnett took up the mantle of team captain and had just three months to raise money for Relay for Life before the year ended. The team was able to raise $8,000 in that three-month period through Hope Floats fundraisers, a silent auction, a bake sale, and jeans’ day.

With a new year upon her, Arnett had to come up with new and interesting ways to raise more money for the team. She had heard of Zumbathons being put on in big cities with large crowds participating.

“So I thought, ‘why not?’” she said. “We’re a little town but I thought if we could get all the counties and try to find their Zumba instructors and get their classes to come—just anybody in the community—that could raise a lot of money.”

Anyone can attend the classes during the Zumbathon event but if they don’t want to participate in the classes, they can still donate to Relay for Life by getting involved in the raffle, door prizes and luminaria sales. Kerri Pope, a fitness instructor, will speak about fitness and wellness during the event. Zumbathon will be broken up into 50 minute sessions with breaks in between. The American Legion Zumba instructors Faith Achtermann, Barb Koehler, and Diana Shroll will be featured at the Zumbathon event at Wynford High School.

Zumbathon will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on April 12, 2014 at Wynford High School. Preregistration for the event costs $10 or participants can register at the door for $15. Water and a light snack will be provided during the event. Anyone interested in attending Zumbathon can contact Arnett at 419-563-4828.