Choose To Move Challenge raises funds for food pantries

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists will hold its second Choose To Move Northern Rehab Challenge from May 1-17.

Northern Rehab is challenging the community to get out and enjoy the great outdoors with some fun, new outdoor activities while helping to support area food pantries.

“For this spring event, we’re challenging our community to enjoy the great outdoors and explore local parks, wetlands, forest or nature preserves, new or favorite trails, park districts, or even your own neighborhood,” Melissa Beck, Northern Rehab physical therapist, said in a news release. “Physical activity plays an important role in our health, and we’ve created this event to be fun for all ages and great for the entire family. This is also a fundraiser for local food pantries.”

Participants can pick up or download an activity card that includes a variety of activities such as enjoy a new park or playground, try birdwatching, go fishing, explore a new wetland area, play an outdoor yard game, plant a garden, flowers or a tree, or help keep the community clean by picking up trash in your neighborhood. Participants are challenged to complete four of the activities and turn in their card at any of Northern Rehab’s four locations in DeKalb (Sycamore Road or Lincoln Highway), Genoa or Rochelle.

For every activity card turned in, Northern Rehab will donate $5 to a local food pantry. Participants also receive a new limited-edition event T-shirt.

“Part of Northern Rehab’s mission is to give back to the communities that we serve,” Northern Rehab President Ken Olson said in the release. “We chose to raise funds for food pantries that have been overwhelmed while serving record numbers in our area during the pandemic including Barb Food Mart, Spartan Food Pantry, DeKalb County Community Gardens, Genoa Food Hub and Rochelle Christian Food Pantry. We will donate $5 for each participant that turns in an activity card, and we’re hoping to have a record number of participants this year.”

There is no cost to participate, but Northern Rehab invites participants to make a donation to support these local food pantries. Any amount is welcome and donations (cash or check) are being collected at all four Northern Rehab locations.

Participants also can enter a raffle to win a gift card to a local ice cream shop.

“We wanted to support local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic and let our winners enjoy a refreshing treat on us with a gift card to Ollie’s Frozen Custard, Sycamore Dairy Ripple, Pete’s Castle Marathon – Get The Scoop Ice Cream Shoppe, or the Country School Restaurant in Rochelle,” Deb Loitz, marketing director, said in the release. “To enter our raffle, simply take a picture doing one of the activities, then post it on Northern Rehab’s social media or email us with permission to post.”

For more details and to download the activity card, visit www.northernrehapt.com/events/ or pick up an activity card at any Northern Rehab location.