Kimberly Ferrugio wins a $100 Amazon Gift Card after correctly selecting Transformation Fitness Studio — a local business whose nonprofit foundation is making an impact across Staten Island.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island Neighbors has announced the winner of its first Recommended Business Challenge community raffle through SINeighbors.com, awarding a $100 Amazon Gift Card to Kimberly Ferrugio.
The contest invited Staten Islanders to visit the SINeighbors.com Recommended Business Directory, browse the local businesses participating on the site and comment on the raffle post with the name of one business.
One business would then be selected at random, with the first person who correctly guessed that business winning the $100 prize.
The business drawn was Transformation Fitness Studio — and Ferrugio was the first participant to select it.
Ferrugio should contact StatenIslandNeighbors@gmail.com to claim her prize.
A Fitting Business to Draw
Transformation Fitness Studio was selected completely at random, but the result turned out to be particularly fitting for a contest designed to connect Staten Island businesses with the community.
The Staten Island fitness studio offers one-on-one personal training, both in person and virtually, but its work extends well beyond fitness.
Through the TFit Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization has developed a broader mission centered on inclusive fitness and wellness and supporting underserved individuals of all abilities.
That mission has already translated into tangible help throughout the Staten Island community.
TFit Foundation Giving Back Across Staten Island
The TFit Foundation recently reported completing its ninth fitness-equipment donation, delivering a commercial Hammer Strength Iso-Lateral Lat Pulldown machine to FDNY Engine 166/Ladder 86.
The foundation has also secured additional exercise equipment for community organizations, including a commercial Cybex upright bike, another upright bike, a treadmill and an abdominal machine intended for two local group homes.
A Keiser M3i spin bike was also secured for donation to an organization serving individuals with disabilities.
The foundation says its mission includes obtaining quality fitness equipment and placing it where it can make the greatest impact — from supporting first responders to expanding access to health and wellness for individuals with disabilities.
Its efforts aren’t limited to fitness equipment.
Through the generosity of its community, the TFit Foundation recently purchased six wheelchairs and 11 walkers for people in need, helping provide essential mobility equipment to individuals who need it most.
TFit has also participated in broader community initiatives, including a back-to-school giveaway at Tappen Park, where more than 250 backpacks and thousands of school supplies were collected for local children preparing for the new school year.
The work being done by Transformation Fitness Studio and the TFit Foundation represents the type of community involvement Staten Island Neighbors hopes to see grow as more businesses become involved with SINeighbors.com.
More Than a Business Directory
The $100 Amazon Gift Card raffle represents the first of what Staten Island Neighbors hopes will become many community initiatives connected to SINeighbors.com.
The idea behind the site is bigger than simply creating another place to list local businesses.
The goal is to build a network where Staten Islanders support local businesses, local businesses support the community, and that relationship creates more opportunities to give back to Staten Island.
As the directory grows, Staten Island Neighbors plans to expand those efforts with more raffles, bigger prizes, additional winners, free community events, in-person activities and other community-focused initiatives.
Residents have an important role in making that possible.
When looking for a restaurant, contractor, fitness professional, photographer, home service, attorney or another local business, residents are encouraged to visit the SINeighbors.com Recommended Business Directory and consider supporting one of the businesses participating in the network.
The more the community supports these businesses, the more opportunities Staten Island Neighbors can create to turn that support into something positive for Staten Island.
Calling on Community-Minded Businesses
Staten Island Neighbors is also inviting local businesses that share that philosophy to become part of what is being built.
Businesses don’t have to organize their own large-scale charitable programs to make an impact. By participating in the SINeighbors.com network, businesses can help support a growing platform designed to create raffles, giveaways, events and other initiatives benefiting the Staten Island community.
Local business owners interested in joining can visit SINeighbors.com, open the Menu, select Add Business, and submit their business to the directory.
Transformation Fitness Studio and the TFit Foundation provide an example of what can happen when local business, community support and giving back come together.
For Staten Island Neighbors, the first $100 raffle is a small beginning.
The goal is for what comes next to get much bigger — with more businesses, more community participation and more opportunities to give back to Staten Island.
Read Next
More stories from around Staten Island
Inside Created For You Artists Market: Bringing Local Makers, Vendors and Communities Together
Staten Island Neighbors Announces the Recommended Business Challenge
