Tenacity Fitness will be hosting a one-of-a-kind fundraiser on Saturday called "Treasures at Tenacity: A Holiday Boutique, Wellness Fair & Glamorous Garage Sale."

Tenacity Owner Chris Hesse-Withbroe is kicking off what she hopes is the first annual fundraiser to benefit Charities Challenge, a local nonprofit that provides fitness opportunities for people of all abilities with the mission of preventing and managing chronic diseases. 

The benefit will feature local vendors, including 31 Bags, Scentsy, Dove Chocolates, Vault Denim, Tupperware, jewelers, plus wellness vendors such as Juice Plus, Shakeology and massage. There will also be quality garage sale items, including Children's toys and exercise equipment.

Tenacity Fitness will also offer sales on fitness packages.

"I hope it will encourage people to exercise. In this economy it's the first thing that people get rid of it," Hesse-Withbroe said. "People say, 'I’ll go for a walk instead of gointo to the gym,' but then they don’t go. So I try to keep prices low for people who want that community and accountability."  

Hesse-Withbroe became involved with Charities Challenge about four years ago. She was drawn to Charities Challenge's mission of trying to get people moving, whether it's walking or running, in order to prevent chronic disease, including obesity, arthritis and Alzheimer's. 

The mission really hit home for Hesse-Withbroe since her dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's six months ago and her son has down syndrome.

"I became involved because I wanted to promote exercise for everyone, but especially people with developmental disabilities and Alzheimer's," Hesse-Withbroe said. 

Charities Challenge came up with RxExercise, which is the idea that "exercise is medicine and there is no cure for all the illnesses associated with the lack of exercise except RxExercise," Hesse-Withbroe emailed Oakdale Patch regarding the event.

Hesse-Withbroe serves an RxExercise Ambassador for Charities Challenge to raise awareness that exercise is medicine.

To help raise awareness, Hesse-Withbroe, along with one of her trainers and two Tenacity Fitness members, began planning the event in October. 

"The other women wanted to promote exercise for breast cancer survivors," Hesse-Withbroe said. "We all have our own stories for why we're doing this."

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Tenacity Fitness. For more information about Charities Challenge click here.