Bellingham, Washington Pilates studio owners Maria and Geoffrey Knight, have recently established the Beautiful Day/CoeXisT Fund. All donations to the fund will be split between the African Well Fund and the Keep a Child Alive organization.
Recognizing that a permanent solution to extreme poverty requires policy changes, the Knights have long been volunteers for the ONE campaign. Their studio Pilates of Bellingham has served as a distribution point for ONE campaign information and white bands as well as a place where people can sign on to the campaign. But the Knights decided they also wanted to do more to help with immediate needs in a direct fashion. To this end, the Beautiful Day/CoeXisT fund was started and the African Well Fund and Keep a Child Alive organizations were selected as the recipients of donations to the fund.
The effort will raise money in a variety of ways. The Knights will highlight the “Walk Ten Miles in Her Shoes” campaign by placing penny containers near water sources in their studio. They will offer all clients the opportunity to add $1 or more to their monthly tuition. The money will go directly to the Beautiful Day/CoeXisT fund. At the end of each month, a contributor will be randomly selected to receive a free private Pilates session. Once a quarter, the Knights will select one of their classes at random and everyone’s tuition for that class will be donated to the fund. The Knights have other initiatives planned, including a fun run/walk/cycle in the spring or summer.
The African Well Fund salutes the Knights for their dedication to helping the people of Africa. Their efforts will make a significant difference in the lives of many people in Sub-Saharan Africa. We will offer updates on their initiative in the coming months.
