APPLETON, Wis. — It's been almost a month since Appleton firefighter Mitch Lundgaard was killed in the line of duty, but the community hasn't stopped showing support to the firefighters and Lundgaard's family.
CrossFit Appleton is hosting a workout Saturday, June 15th to remember Lundgaard and raise money for his family. The workout is one of his own: 100 man-makers, or as the fire department calls it, "Mitch Makers".
"I called the fire department shortly after the incident happened and just said hey this is something that we do in the CrossFit world, we have these Hero WODs, if this is something you guys are interested in doing, we have the space available we'd love to host you guys," said Sam Davis the owner and head coach of CrossFit Appleton.
The man maker exercise is a weighted burpee, row with one arm, push up, row with the other arm, jump up, bicep curl, shoulder press, and curl back down.
"He was always a kind and giving person that would give you the shirt off his back," said Captain Jason Lee with the Appleton Fire Department.
He said Lundgaard had a passion for fitness, and always cheered his fellow firefighters on during workouts. He came up with the 100 man makers workout the day he lost his life.
"They got to number 50 when the call came in, and so they went out on the call, and they were, they didn't complete the workout," said Captain Lee.
On Saturday, the community is invited to help finish the workout as a group. A goal for each person is to complete Lundgaard's 100 man makers workout.
"If you do one man maker, you'll realize that 100 seems like an almost unreachable goal, but Mitch was able to do it, and he kind of cheered us on," said Captain Lee.
They are also asking for a $25 donation that will go to Lundgaard's family. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, doors open at 7:30.
"I think Mitch will be in our ears telling us to keep going and laugh a little bit when we're all in pain and pushing for trying to complete the workout," said Captain Lee.
CrossFit Appleton asks everyone to park across the street at 4901 N. Lynndale Drive.
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