GIVING BACK

Holding true to our values…

Lifting Culture started with the one premise to give back to and uphold our culture of fitness. As we grew, we realized we could utilize our platform as a way to extend our interests past the world of fitness. From small town family relief funds, to world wide natural disasters, we have been lucky enough to have raise $26,950 in donation funding. 100% of the profits from each item sold was donated.
These are our stories…

UNITED AS ONE

"اتحدوا كواحد" - UNITED AS ONE

LIFT UP UKRAINE

LIFT WITH PRIDE

In August of 2020, G-City CrossFit, a small Crossfit gym owned by Jenai Gonzales, was bombed. Due to the large gay-pride flag hanging on the door where the bomb was placed and other factors, this crime is being investigated as a hate crime. They are a known safe-haven in the area for LGBTQ youth. The owners themselves, many members, and several coaches are also gay. Yet, this facility is also home to people of all ages, ethnicities, and gender identities.

Recognizing each person as equal is something that should occur organically, however, this unfortunately is not the case. We live in a world where injustice and inequality is apparent and dismaying. No person should fear their beliefs due to external pressures or social constructs. We strive for a world where each person can feel comfortable and confident when they exit the confines of their home an go about their daily life. The It Gets Better Project nonprofit organization is dedicated to uplifting, empowering, and connecting LGBTQ youth across the globe. Their over-arching goal is to show the LGBTQ youth that although growing up isn’t easy, no one has to do it alone. The LIFT WITH PRIDE design aligns itself this message. Our goal is that these shirts will carry a story of equality and acceptance with them wherever you wear them. With this release we were able to donate $300 directly to the It Gets Better Project & G-City CrossFit .

Black Lives Matter

At Lifting Culture we believe in freedom.We believe that black lives matter.We strive for a better future and a culture that is free from racism and hatred.We stand up today and every day for equality. The design sheds light on the idea that silence is not the answer and we need to take an actionable approach to listen and learn about racial injustices that are still very much alive.Our first pre-order raised $7,250 which was donated to the Black Lives Matter Global Network. After being featured in The Morning Chalk Up for our first pre-order, we launched a second one which allowed us to donate $1,150.00 to the Black Lives Global Network raising our accumulative total donated to BLMGN to $8,400.00.

Australia Bushfires Relief

During the 2020 Australia bushfires, we raised and donated $7,500 to Red Cross Australia. This donation supported thousands of people in emergency evacuation centers and recovery hubs across Australia, in addition to providing cash grants to people who have lost their homes.After studying for my Masters in Australia for close to two years I made relationships with people there and gained an appreciation for the country. I personally owed it to both my friends and everyone who was affected by this terrible disaster.

Bahamas Hurricane Relief

In September of 2019, category 5 Hurricane Dorian (now regarded as the worst natural disaster in our country's history) caused mass flooding and destruction to the islands of The Bahamas. During this catastrophic time, we raised and donated $5,000 to Yacht Aid Global, providing Emergency Relief Kits in the form of necessary supplies like food, tarps, hygiene kits, and medicine, in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents. Although I don’t have any personal ties to The Bahamas, I still felt the urge to do something for those who were in need. We are more than elated at the outcome of this project and we cannot thank you enough for your interest in helping us help The Bahamas.

Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

In September of 2017, category 5 Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, and at the time was regarded as the worst natural disaster in recorded history and the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Jeanne in 2004. During this catastrophic time, we raised and donated $1,500 to UNICEF USA, providing Emergency Relief Kits which contained basic, essential supplies such as water purification tablets, water containers, soap, toothpaste, detergent and sanitary pads. The supplies helped children and their families keep clean and healthy, protecting them from diseases that could have occurred after the loss of equipment and infrastructure and the disruption of a safe water supply.Besides training, surfing is a life hobby of mine. Having traveled the world searching for waves and experiencing the area’s culture, Puerto Rico became a surfing home for me. The ocean, food, and people amazed me at every corner and, having developed this relationship with the island, we created this design to raise funding for Puerto Rico Aid.

Down Syndrome Awareness

For 6 years in a row, we raised a cumulative total of $6,875.00 to donate to GiGi's Playhouse for Down Syndrome Awareness. Ted Dreaver, owner of CrossFit Iron Legion, started a gym in his backyard and slowly built it into what it is today: a community of friends and family who have come together to not only support and inspire one another’s fitness journeys, but their lives as a whole. His daughter Kiera was born with Down syndrome. “What initially scared him turned into a blessing because he realized there is no better community of love and support for her to grow up in.” Each year, on National Down Syndrome Day, Iron Legion holds “Down For Donuts”, a functional fitness competition, at his gym in Ocala, Florida and donates 100% of proceeds to GiGi’s Playhouse in Gainesville, Florida. We collaborated with Ted and is gym by opening a pre-order to the world to help raise additional funding outside the competition. These are the shirts the athletes, spectators, and supporters will be wearing at the event and on National Down Syndrome Day. I met Ted in Florida over 5 years ago and wee kicked it off right away. I am honored to continue to work on these projects with him and his family.