This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Hits Close to Home

I want to thank the people of Madison and surrounding areas for attending the Pilates and Mindful Meditation fundraiser for Ukraine at the Surf Club on June 11.

We had more than 30 participants, ranging in age from 10 years to 80. We raised nearly $2,000 for United for Ukraine, a Yale-based nonprofit delivering desperately needed medical supplies and training to Ukraine.

For me, the Ukrainian war hits close to home. My daughter-in-law is Ukrainian-American, and her grandparents fled Kharkiv in the early days of the war. As a Pilates instructor for more than 20 years, I know Pilates does more than support our physical health; it also restores our mental and emotional wellbeing.

We gathered together at Garvin’s Point overlooking the Long Island Sound to lend our support to Ukraine. While serene and uplifting music played, we practiced Pilates movements that relaxed, stretched, and strengthened the body while being mindful of the people of Ukraine. My goal was to bridge the distance by sending love, hope, and peace across the globe to the people of Ukraine.

Your readers can still donate to United for Ukraine (U4U) by going to its website dwighthall.org/united-ukraine.

Jennifer McManus

Madison