What is Challenged America?
Randy Bertish, President of The My Gym-Challenged America Foundation, created Challenged America for the purpose of helping physically challenged children attain an improved quality of life.
Randy has a personal understanding of the daily struggles faced
by those with physical disabilities. Now, 14 years after surviving
a near fatal accident and resultant coma, he strives each day
to triumph over many deficits and is determined to regain his
ability to walk independently. Randy is extremely thankful to
have had the funds available for proper medical treatment and
is well aware that many others are not as fortunate. He is living
proof of what willpower and hard work in combination with appropriate
medical attention can accomplish and wishes the same level of
success for every child in need.
How tragic, though often the case, that a physically challenged
child’s well-being or chance of reaching his/her full potential
should be jeopardized by adverse economic circumstances. It is
in response to this distressing reality that Challenged America
has been established. We are a registered nonprofit 501 ( c )
3 organization, with funds raised through grants, corporate sponsorships,
private donations and special events such as “Take
a Chance for the Kids.”
The Challenged America Website is a medium through which disadvantaged, physically challenged children (or their parents) submit requests for medical attention, rehabilitative therapy and/or assistive devices they would otherwise be unable to obtain. The benefits to the children go far beyond the physical. Assistance from Challenged America can improve their quality of life, help them gain confidence and self-esteem, and ease their reentry into the community. The encouragement and support from Randy and his organization, alone, can result in their becoming inspired to conquer adversity and lead productive and rewarding lives.
Challenged America is Randy Bertish’s way of turning his own personal tragedy into a positive force. He loves children and is committed to making a positive difference in their lives through his philanthropic efforts.
Making a Positive Difference
Gift appropriations from the My Gym - Challenged America Foundation are determined by its Board of Directors and based on greatest need, whom we can best assist, funds available, and long term impact on the child’s quality of life.
All requests to Challenged America will be acknowledged via e-mail or regular post. The Board meets periodically to make the difficult decision as to how many candidates we can help, and those selected will be notified.
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