Organizers raised funds for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s new patient tower by inviting residents to shake up the Henry Mayo Newhall Fitness and Health gym with Zumba dance classes.

“On top of having everybody get active, we’re letting them make an opportunity to make a donation to the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital foundation,” said Sharlene Duzick, the organizer of the event and a staff member at the fitness center. “They get an opportunity to learn about the fitness center, have a good time, and then make a difference.”

The fundraiser was also a way to draw interest to one of the classes being offered at the Valencia health center.

“It’s an easy way to workout to burn calories to get fit, without even realizing that you are exercising,” said Catherine Vedder, the zumba instructor for Henry Mayo Fitness and Health. “Because you are actually just dancing and having fun while you do it.”

Previous “zumbathon” fundraisers have collected funds for hurricane relief, organizers said. But this year, organizers looked closer to home. Funds are set to go towards services offered at the hospital’s new patient tower.

“(It’s) another great segway into touching more lives in the community that have to venture into Henry Mayo and benefit from their services,” Duzick said.

The Health and Fitness Center is open to the public as a specialized gym which offers four training sessions with trainers who have to have degrees and trainings in kinesiology or exercise science.

“It’s a little more specialized than your standard gym,” said Duzick. “It’s kind of like that one-stop-shop for your health.”

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