His math is a little off but his heart is in the right place.
Aaron Brouwer, a UNBC men’s basketball assistant coach and member of PG Firefighters Local 1372, is doing a 4x4x48=$4,800.
This is Brouwer’s Run Challenge and Support Local effort that sees him run the David Goggins 4x4x48 where participants run four miles every four hours over a 48-hour span while raising funds for four local families to use at four local businesses.
“Not only will the families get a little pick me up but the businesses will benefit, too,” Brouwer explained.
To get nominations for families in need he put it out the call to the public, family and friends in May.
“This pandemic has hit all of us and I feel people could use some positive encouragement,” he said.
Families will be given a $1,200 credit to the business that offers services they need most.
The four businesses include Black House Baked Goods, Excel Painting, Farmhouse Catering Company and Competition Auto. Each business is locally owned and operated and are community-minded.
Brouwer was always very competitive in sports growing up, especially in basketball, but when he ended up having seven knee surgeries over the last 20 years, he knew he had to change direction. To feed that competitive spirit, he decided to start running two years ago and since then challenges are improving his own time.
With that in mind Brouwer set his sight on running a half marathon during the Rotterdam 2021 World Police and Fire Games and since it’s been postponed until 2022, he’s still in training for that with a goal of running the race under 1:45:00.
The 4x4x48 fundraiser has received a lot of support and as of press time reached its fundraising goal of $4,800. Another family will get a credit to another business with any extra cash that is received.
“I have just been blown away by the response and support I’ve received so far,” Brouwer said.
“I’m just super appreciative of people who are willing to support my run and it’s going to make doing the run all that more special and will keep me motivated especially in the middle of the night when I’m running at 2 a.m. Just knowing this is for a bigger cause and the impact it’s going to have on not only the four families but the four local businesses I’m supporting as well - I’m just blown away by the support.”
For more information and to donate visit https://gofund.me/7d5eeb75.
