Gyms across the country will this week be honoring Charlotte Bacon, a young victim of 12/14, with an event called Fitness for Kindness to commemorate her birthday. The Fitness For Kindness fundraiser event can occur any time during the week leading up to what would have been Charlotte’s ninth birthday on February 22.

Newtown Kindness, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded subsequent to 12/14 with a mission to promote kindness while also honoring Charlotte, is encouraging people and gyms to schedule their events for a day and time between February 15 and February 22.

Crossfit Hook’d, at 7 Turnberry Lane in Sandy Hook, will host its Fitness for Kindness event on Sunday, February 22, beginning at 9 am.

Other groups that are reportedly participating include Crossfit 203, NYA Sports & Fitness Center, and the Men’s Soccer Team at Stonehill College.

Fitness for Kindness is a three-phase event that incorporates a symbolic fitness workout, completing an act of kindness, and donating to Newtown Kindness (the organization is also currently running a encouraging people to step up their acts of kindness this month). The fundraising event is designed for kids and adults to get physically fit while spreading the Newtown Kindness mission of encouraging kindness.Nice Bucket Challege,

The concept of Fitness for Kindness was conceived two years ago by Carolyn Agbayani at her Crossfit gym in northern California. When Newtown Kindness received the funds the gym had raised, they turned the unique idea into a national event.

Kindness volunteer and Fitness for Kindness Coordinator Joe Sullivan said the event combines feeling good and doing good for others.

“It’s a fun group or individual activity that gets people active in spreading the message of the importance of kindness to others,” Mr Sullivan added.

The funds raised from Fitness for Kindness will go towards Newtown Kindness initiatives such as the upcoming Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Awards, which will occur on February 21. The ceremony will honor kids from 17 states in the US and Canada for outstanding acts of kindness.

Newtown Kindness Founder Aaron Carlson said the organization is “really excited about this event that spreads our message in such a unique way.

“People from California to Connecticut are celebrating Charlotte and spreading kindness in her honor- it is truly remarkable,” he added.

Each of the workouts and rep numbers have a special significance. The workout runs for nine minutes, Charlotte’s age, and the number of reps of each exercise correlate with her birth month, day and year: 2 wall walk-ups represents February, or the month she was born; 22 Burpees represent the day of the month of her birthday; and six punch-kick combos represent the year (2006) she was born. The punch-kick combos were also included, according to organizers, to honor Charlotte’s enjoyment of the martial arts.

All participants are also encouraged to wear pink when doing their Fitness For Kindness workout, in honor of Charlotte’s favorite color.

Everyone is invited to participate. The workout was specifically design to not require complex movements or pieces of workout equipment.

For more information about Fitness for Kindness, visit eventbrite.com and search for Fitness for Kindness.

To learn more about Newtown Kindness and The Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Awards, visit NewtownKindness.org.