J Life - July-Sept 2018 JLife_July-Sept2018_joomag | Page 15
25 Years of Service!
Rhina Gerhauser
Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer
One of our group fitness instructors/personal trainers, Rhina Gerhauser
is celebrating her 25th anniversary with us here at The Tucson J on March
22. Not only has she touched the lives of so so so many in the Fitness
Center, she has also been serving this community in many different
areas….
Angel Charity for Children, Inc.—I have been a contributing volunteer
member for the past 17 years. Angel Charity for Children, Inc. is a non-
profit organization comprised of approximate 150 volunteers representing
a cross-section of the Tucson community. In the past 35 years, we have
raised over 25 million dollars for the children of Pima County. I have
served in several Committees, including Charity Selection six times.
Greater Tucson Leadership—A graduate of this one-year Leadership Class
in 2012, I have continued to volunteer in the Health Care and Education
Issue Days for the past 6 years. Our goal is to provide understanding of
these issues and how they relate at the social and government levels. I
was instrumental in getting Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon
general as our keynote speaker. It takes the Committee about a year to
prepare for each Issue day.
Canyon Ranch Institute Healthy Community Program—Housed at
Apollo Middle School in South Tucson, this program supports families in
low-income communities to become healthy role models by learning how
to exercise, garden, cook, relax and have fun. It catalyzes the possibility
of optimal health for all people by translating the best practices of world-
renowned Canyon Ranch to prevent disease and embrace a life of wellness.
Assisted in the Spanish translation of Mel’s Tips for Healthy Living. Mel
Zuckerman is not only the Founder of Canyon Ranch, but also Founder
of CRI with his wife Enid and dear friend, Jerry Cohen.
Jewish Community Center—My job for almost 25 years at the JCC as a
fitness instructor and Personal trainer has afforded me the opportunity to
volunteer in many capacities including dance-athons, spin-athons, as well
as Health and Wellness Task Force several times. It was my pleasure to use
(with the approval of our previous CEO) the JCC as the sponsor of Greater
Tucson Leadership, which culminated in a Celebrate Tucson class project,
highlighting the positive ways of our community. Had the opportunity to
include members from our Tucson JCC. In 2015, I was approached to get
involved with the Elder Rehab Program, more specifically its physical/
fitness component. Dr. Arkin’s research-based cognitive programming
coupled with the improvements we have made in the Physical Assessment
and training of the University of Arizona students, makes this program
one-of-a-kind in our community. In the past two years, I have trained
over 75 students not only on the physical components of working with
a memory-impaired client, but also the greatest gift they can give their
client—the gift of caring and connection.
Catalina Foothills School District Wellness Policy Committee—
Assisted in the design and implementation of physical activity, nutrition
and wellness programs for the entire District 16 as required by the Federal
Government.
Catalina Foothills School District Advisory Committee on 21st
Century Learning—Provided feedback and perspective for a major
curriculum redesign for our students and graduates to thrive in today’s
Digital Age including content, learning processes, the educational
environment, and delivery systems.
Wellness
Speaker
to
Catalina Foothills School
District
Schools—
Developed and delivered
presentations on body
image,
nutrition,
and
physical activity tailored
to 7th and 8th graders.
Catalina Foothills School
District
Foundation
Board—During my six-
year volunteer tenure we
recruited a strong board
and eventually were able
to fund several teaching
positions and brought back
the Spanish curriculum at
the elementary school level.
Over $500,000 was gifted to
the District for the above-
mentioned projects.
Sports-Zone Co-Chair—Organized the first fitness and sports-related
fundraising event at Ventana Vista Elementary School. Our goal was
to get kids to embrace physical activity at an early age, promote local
businesses associated with wellness, and raise funds for the school. Over
$10,000 was netted via Sports-Zone.
SAFE Kids and Tucson Drowning Prevention Committee—
Participated and collaborated with Fire Departments, the City
of Tucson, TMC, and other area hospitals in the creation of bike
helmet and drowning prevention programs for our community.
Race for the Cure Planning Committee—Responsible for Neighborhood
Communications, bilingual interactions and pre-race workout. Assisted
in translating Race for the Cure written materials to Spanish.
American Heart Association—Sought and received over $20,000 of in-
kind donations for the Silent Auction