A promotional video for Saturday’s Flip For Good fundraiser in Tinton Falls. (Video courtesy of Pat Moroney)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Ever find yourself up at some ungodly hour flipping through TV channels and suddenly becoming engrossed in a bunch of barrel-chested men with hard-to-pronounce names carrying oversized objects?
Here’s your live, local edition, and for a good cause.
On Saturday, members of the Monmouth Rugby Football Club will test their strength against tires as tall as they are and flip them for money in the first “Flip For Good” fundraiser.
“We’re picking up ridiculous things that you wouldn’t think are part of a workout,” said Rob Morello, the club’s president.
No, you wouldn’t normally think steel-belted and tractor tires would be part of a workout regime. But the rugby club members integrated them into their training in recent years, Morello said.
Then Matt Attanasio, who runs the Center for Athletic Perfomance, where the club trains, suggested the players raise money through their offbeat workout routine.
“He got a group of strong guys together and wanted to do something charitable, so we’re happy to oblige,” Morello said.
Between a dozen and 15 players from the male and female sides of the club will flip 250-, 400- and 600-pound tires as many times as possible. The players raise money on pledges made in a lump amount or on a per-flip basis.
The fundraiser, which benefits the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, will, if nothing more, provide a bit of entertainment.
“Everybody can get a look at the Center for Athletic Performance, get a look at Monmouth Rugby and just come hang out,” Morello said.
Flip For Good runs from 10a to 1p Saturday at the Center for Athletic Performance, 31 Park Road in Tinton Falls.
