New Auburn gym hosts fundraiser for homeless outreach event

Lord's Gym in Auburn is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday for a homeless outreach event. Lord's Gym, a nonprofit, 24-hour facility, opened this spring and has made a point to be active in the community from the jump. Battling problems such as addiction, homelessness and mental health, Lord's Gym is aiming to do everything in its power to make a positive impact in the Auburn region. "We operate like any regular for-profit gym would, but we're a nonprofit. We do a lot of things like AA meetings and 12-step Bible studies here," said Brad Parker, one of the founders and leaders of the gym. "One of the things we do is a lot of homeless outreach. We're kind of a hub for donations and drop-offs for clothes and food." Lord's Gym's outreach extends from all around Placer County to Sacramento. During its homeless outreach missions, Lord's Gym provides food, clothing, wound care and gives people opportunities to seek rehab and treatment. "We kind of just try to help encourage them and let them know that there's another way, if they want it. We'll help facilitate that if they're interested," said Parker. The gym will host a fundraiser at its location on Elm Street on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in an effort to raise money for its homeless outreach program. For a $20 donation, guests will receive a dinner plate and five raffle tickets. There will be cornhole and billiards tournaments, a raffle of autographed sports memorabilia and more with all proceeds going to the outreach program. Raffle items include signed MMA gloves by Ken Shamrock and an autographed Ruthie Bolton Sacramento Monarchs jersey. "This is our first time doing a fundraiser. We have been regularly just paying out of pocket for the homeless outreach that we do," says Parker. "We are a Christian organization, so we do try to bring a message of hope to them as well but that's totally up to them how they want to receive it." Parker says the fundraiser will start with a small segment going over what Lord's Gym does and provides for the community before the dinner and games. "We're going to give some testimonials on how Lord's Gym has helped change some lives already," said Parker. "We want to kind of share the message that this is a great place for the youth to come if they're 15 or older. We have a lot of teenagers from the high school here. This is a great place for them to come lift weights, get out some aggression, connect with some other solid guys that are not drinking and using drugs." Parker said he hopes the fundraiser can help the gym connect with the community as well and show they are more than just a fitness center in town. Said Parker, "We just want to see what we can do and network with the community and see how we can be of assistance. We're not under some corporate umbrella. We're here to help however we can, even if it's just moving an elderly person's furniture into a new home. We've got trailers and trucks, and we're available for that type of stuff. We want to help the community."