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Susquehanna Brewing Company becomes snowboarder’s paradise for Alejam

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<p>KINGSTON &#8212; Nearly 80 people gathered at Vive Health &amp; Fitness on Saturday for an exercise class that not only benefited their health, but needy members of the community.</p><p>The event, entitled &#8220;Shake your Booty to Feed the Community,&#8221; was the brainchild of Ashley Raspen, director of group exercise at the business, with donations going to St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre.&#8203;</p><p>Raspen said with temperatures dropping and the holiday season fast approaching, she realized that there were many homeless and needy people who could use a hand.</p><p>Raspen was impressed with the response of the community with two Zumba classes quickly filling up when members of the fitness center found out they could help others.</p><p>The event also was open to the public, with some participants visiting for the first time.</p><p>Michele Crackett, said she had been taking Zumba classes for a long time and enjoyed spending a Saturday morning with friends doing something she loved for a good cause. Crackett brought a cash donation, but food and clothing were also welcome.</p><p>Raspen said she had only recently realized that the soup kitchen took clothing, so that people in need could enjoy a hot meal and get some warm clothing. When she saw a post on the soup kitchen&#8217;s Facebook page, she reached out to instructors, who were more than happy to help.</p><p>Having raised nearly $200 and dozens of bags of food items and clothing, Raspen said the business had scheduled another event for Dec. 7.</p><p>&#8220;The staff, participants and donations all exceeded our expectations,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We look forward to doing it again.&#8221;</p><p>As the event wrapped up, participants stopped to let Raspen know how much fun it had been, with many saying they were looking forward to future opportunities to help.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Ashley Raspen, Vive Health &amp; Fitness, talks with Maria Hall and Jessica Sands about an exercise class geared to helping the needy with donations going to St. Vincent De. Paul Soup Kitchen. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Vive2-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Ashley Raspen, Vive Health &amp; Fitness, talks with Maria Hall and Jessica Sands about an exercise class geared to helping the needy with donations going to St. Vincent De. Paul Soup Kitchen. </caption0><photoCredit0>Geri Gibbons | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Vive1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Ashley Raspen, Vive Health &amp; Fitness, right, congratulates Maria Hall, Danielle Petros and Jessica Sands (left to right) for a job well done after they participated in an exercise class Saturday morning at the Kingston business that benefited St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Vive1-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Ashley Raspen, Vive Health &amp; Fitness, right, congratulates Maria Hall, Danielle Petros and Jessica Sands (left to right) for a job well done after they participated in an exercise class Saturday morning at the Kingston business that benefited St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre. </caption1><photoCredit1>Geri Gibbons | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Participants at fitness event shake and sweat to aid soup kitchen</subheadMeta></div>