in2town

Plan for Fitness Takes to the Streets to Help the Homeless

Radio fitness expert Debra Vadala now brings her mission of health, hope and compassion directly to those in need in South Florida

 

Lake Worth, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/06/2015 -- Health, hope and compassion have been Debra Vadala's key themes on her popular BlogTalk radio show, "Plan for Fitness" – but now the broadcaster and fitness expert is kicking it up a notch with a personal approach to helping the homeless in South Florida. The Plan for Fitness Community Outreach Project is a labor of love to help the homeless, out-of-work veterans and battered/abused women in shelters.

Inspired by guests who have appeared on her show, including Pastors Olga and Marvin Smith who addressed the issue of homelessness and the book, "Underbelly: The Palm Beach No One Talks About" by David Martin Geliebter, Vadala found it impossible to remain idle. In 2013, she ventured out to meet homeless men and women behind buildings and under bridges, to provide sandwiches and a ready ear, to find out what they needed most.

The effort evolved to become the Plan for Fitness Community Outreach Project. Vadala's advocacy now takes her to the streets of Broward and Palm Beach Counties at least once a month to provide encouragement and much-needed clothing and supplies to men, women and children.

"The most important thing I learned when I began talking to people on the streets is that they don't want to be labeled or judged, any more than you or I would," says Vadala. "No one intended to be there, but times are tough. I've met breadwinners who have lost their jobs, runaways, returning vets who are finding it difficult to be hired in the private sector, even alcoholics and those with mental illness. Each person has a different story, and they appreciate being seen and heard for themselves as individuals, not as 'a homeless person'."

At first, Vadala's distributions came solely from her own closet and kitchen, but after putting the word out on her radio show, donations of socks and clothing began to come from as far away as New York. Now she sometimes is accompanied on her rounds by friends and volunteers, and she is grateful for any donations her listeners and those in the community are able to contribute.

The Plan for Fitness Outreach Project currently is accepting donations for clean, new or gently used clothing for men, women and children; new socks and underwear; towels and blankets; individually wrapped energy bars or other healthy snacks; dry food goods and groceries; hygiene products, such as shampoo, soaps, combs, brushes, scrunchies, hand lotion, mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, etc., as well as Bibles and prayer cards.

The Plan for Fitness Talk Show targets a health-conscious audience with shows on nutrition, joint health, diabetic and cardiac rehabilitation, dietary supplements, sexual Intimacy, spirituality, ecology, self-esteem and much more. Since launching "Plan for Fitness Talk Show" on WBZT 1230 THE TALK STATION on ClearChannel Radio several years ago, the certified personal trainer, holistic therapist and physical therapy aide now chats with compelling guests nationally on Sunday nights on BlogTalk Radio, offering the same brand of caring, responsible advice and solutions as her loyal fans have come to expect.

"I've always been committed to reaching those who desire more than just exercise or nutrition advice," says Vadala. "'Plan for Fitness' is all about encouragement and hope, and I'm determined to reach people who need to hear those positive messages, whether they listen to me on the radio or I'm listening to them one-on-one on a park bench."

To donate or for more information, please visit http://www.planforfitnessradio.com or contact Plan for Fitness at planforfitness@gmail.com.

About Debra Vadala's Plan for Fitness
Debra Vadala has always been passionate about helping people to be healthy and fit at any age. With a background as a certified personal trainer, holistic therapist and physical therapy aide, Debra's training and experience has included work as a fitness consultant, working with pediatric to geriatric clients. She currently provides customized nutritional consultations on a one-on-one basis in the Palm Beach, Fla., area. Communication and education is of paramount importance to her mission, and she has used the medium of radio to deliver her message of hope. Debra first launched "Plan for Fitness" on WBZT 1230 THE TALK STATION on ClearChannel Radio in 2009 after co-hosting a political show in 2008 in with the late Clayton Willis. "As a long-time presidential reporter, Clayton was an important mentor who taught me many things about radio," she says. "When he became ill, I would visit him in the hospital and nursing home, and when he passed, I had the honor of retiring his show." With a tireless work ethic, Debra has expanded "Plan for Fitness Radio" beyond audio to empower her audience to educate themselves, take responsibility for their health and fitness, and make a commitment to do everything it takes to live the lives they desire and deserve. National and local sponsors are welcome to join her on this mission.

For more information, visit http://www.planforfitnessradio.com

CONTACT:
Maryellen Nugent Lee
2PR Chicks LLC
917-825-0557
m_nugentlee@2prchicks.com