KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Frankie’s Gym celebrated their 15 years of business in North Knoxville on Saturday by giving back to children battling pediatric cancer.
Two nonprofits, Frankie’s Lift for a Cause and Smokin’ for a Cause joined together to raise over $14,000.
“The Padilla family is like family to me, so I’m so thankful that they have supported our cause, and we all came together to help families as much as we can,” said Smokin’ for a Cause owner, Sarah Johnson.
Johnson started her nonprofit Smokin’ for a Cause after she witnessed the toll pediatric cancer can have on a family — something Frankie’s Gym owner Chloe Padilla is no stranger to.
“Frankie’s Lift for a Cause was established in 2016 for Eli James, who was one of our clients. He was born with spinal bifida,” Padilla said. “Everybody just got to know him. He loved the community. He loved coming into the gym to work out. So he talked to everybody when he came in, and that is pretty much how it started.”
To help Eli’s family, Padilla and her family at Frankie’s Gym started their nonprofit Frankie’s Lift for a Cause, where they host events like power lifting competitions to raise money.
Source: Knoxville gym celebrates 15-year anniversary with pediatric cancer fundraiser