‘Commit to Fit’ raises funds for Camden center

Even medical students who routinely study until the early morning hours are normally sleeping at 4:30 a.m. on a Saturday. But, that hour on a recent Saturday morning found Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine students Jesse Abend and Samantha Silvent battling the pre-dawn darkness and breezy mid-40s temperatures on the intramural fields of the Glassboro campus.

Joined by some equally dedicated family members during those pre-dawn hours, the two second-year medical students – the founders of FITdocs, a student organization that provides medical students with hands-on educational appreciation of exercise, nutrition and healthy lifestyle interventions – were preparing for the “Commit to Fit 5K and Kids Fun Run” that their organization had been planning for the past five months.

As the sun began to chase away the night, dozens more volunteers from the medical school and the Glassboro campus, began showing up to help launch the event, which benefited The Neighborhood Center in Camden.

With coffee cups and water bottles in hand, the small army of volunteers began preparing for the day’s activities that, along with the two races, included a group Zumba lesson, volleyball, soccer, a Simon Says game, a hula hoop contest, face painting, a potato sack race and a “mummy walk.”

Silvent admitted that finding time over the past several months to organize an event that includes 70 volunteers, 120 runners and dozens of children from The Neighborhood Center had been “pretty difficult” due to the academic demands of medical school. But, together with the enthusiastic and energetic medical students and support from Rowan faculty and staff, the display tables, decorations, sound system and game areas were all ready before the first runners arrived at the registration table.

According to Abend, spreading awareness of the importance of proactive health was one of the primary goals for the event.  

“Commit to Fit is an event to inspire people and to spread awareness of the importance of leading healthy lifestyles, to stay active and to encourage young doctors to promote the same in their practice.”

That message resonated with fellow medical student Pam deWilde, who helps lead the Community Garden on the Stratford campus home of the School of Osteopathic Medicine. Although not normally a runner, DeWilde signed up to tackle the 5K course because, “Being an example for my future patients is very important to me.”

Silvent noted that having a successful event served two important purposes. “We want to raise awareness for healthy lifestyles and raise a lot of money for The Neighborhood Center while spreading our mission and getting people out on a great fall day.”

Thanks to the volunteers, corporate sponsors, contributions from local businesses, the support of the University and the School of Osteopathic Medicine and the runners who completed the two-lap course through the Glassboro campus, the FITdocs raised nearly $1,500 for The Neighborhood Center. That money will help support the Center’s ongoing programs that provide a safe place where Camden children and teenagers can go for after-school activities, meals, computer access, athletics and gardening. Founded in 1913, The Neighborhood Center provides services, on average, for more than 200 families each day. 

Kennedy Health, Strive Physical Therapy, Virtua Health System, Megastar Entertainment Group and the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine provided sponsorships for the event. Among the area businesses donating to the success of the event were Wegman’s, Trader Joes, Target, B.J’s, Shoprite, Costco, The Running Company, Painting with a Twist and RoadID.