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Hundreds turnout to meet gold medalist Shannon Miller

By Staff | Sep 19, 2010

Hundreds of children descended on Tropical Twisters Saturday, celebrating health and fitness as part of National Gymnastics Day and the Tyson Food Fitness Challenge.
They were also there to meet Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Miller, who visited the gym to sign autographs and help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network.
Tropical Twisters owner Lisa Johnson said people were lined up outside waiting for the doors to open to get a chance to meet Miller.
At least 200 people had passed through doors by noon, and Johnson suspected they could top out at 500.
“It’s a big advantage that we have Shannon here … it’s just been an outpouring from the community helping us to achieve our goals,” Johnson said.
Raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network was one of their goals, of course, but so was inspiring children to be healthy and active.
Johnson said Tropical Twisters offers an “open gym” on Fridays that allows any and everyone from the community to enjoy the facility without taking gymnastics classes.
She encourages kids and their families to “just come in and play” on Fridays, hoping it will encourage fitness in their lives.
“Kids can have fun and be fit and be active, and hopefully inspire them to get off the couch and away from the TV and video games,” she said.
Now celebrating their first anniversary at their new Pine Island location, Johnson said events like Saturday’s fund raiser are a way to engage the community and celebrate fitness.
“It just allows people to come in and play,” she said.
For more information about the gym and its programs call Tropical Twisters at 540-9800.