This year, planners of the annual Get Fit event decided to have participants spike the ball to raise money.
The Physical Therapy Student Association chose to organize a co-ed volleyball tournament this year for Get Fit instead of the annual bike ride it usually sponsors. The decision was made after they found out the YMCA was having a bike ride the same weekend.
"It was too much competition," said Melinda Mascarenas, a member of the PTSA and one of the event's coordinators.
Mascarenas suggested volleyball because she knew the most about it.
The PTSA has put on the event every year for the past 12 years to raise money for the organization, PTSA president Eddie Cardenas said.
Cardenas said the money from the event goes to fund graduation fees, guest speakers and other organization costs.
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A portion of the proceeds goes to a designated charity organization. This year, the members of PTSA chose Casa Angelica, an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
"Anything we get goes to the children," said Deborah Peters, assistant administrator of Casa Angelica. "Any donation is a wonderful thing and is much needed."
Cardenas said he would not know how much money would be given to Casa Angelica until there was a final calculation of proceeds.
The money was raised from the volleyball team registration fee, beverage sales and a raffle.
Cardenas said 14 teams were scheduled to participate, but only 10 showed up.
"For the first year doing something like this, it was good turnout," Cardenas said.
Sponsors of the event provided refreshments and raffle items, as well as the space in South Johnson Gym to hold the event. Sponsors also provided the gift basket that was awarded to the championship team.
Booths set up by the PTSA allowed attendants to receive free flexibility and balance screenings. Participants would stand with one leg on blue foam for thirty seconds to see what kind of balance they had.
There was also a booth that gave free posture assessments. Booth attendants set up people beside a plumb line and then took a Polaroid snapshot of the person and gave them posture analysis based on the photo. They recommended exercises for people to fix their posture.
There was also an ankle-taping booth for injuries during the competition and demonstration.
Andrew Gutierrez, an Espanola resident said he liked the ankle-taping booth because he is a high school volleyball coach and he has to tape a lot of ankles. He also said the event was a great way to raise money.
"Usually health fairs don't consist of any kind of tournament," Gutierrez said. "It's great when there's competition involved."
Fred Gorenz, who heard about the event through the Lobo League, said he found out his balance is good and his posture is in medium condition. His wife and daughter participated in the event because it is a great cause, he said.
"It's really good it's done for Casa Angelica," Gorenz said. "It's a good tournament for that reason."
Sponsors of the event included Target, Health South, Wal-Mart, Applebee's, Galles Chevrolet, Bone Dexter, the Lobo League, Helping Hands, Sleeping Dragons, the Sports Animal and Johnson Gym.
