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What began as a small refurbishment project turned into a decision to add equipment, organizer Jim Bertollo told Daily Voice.
"Last year when I stepped into the weight room it was disgusting," Bertollo told Daily Voice. "It was dilapidated."
Some of the fitness equipment that has either already been moved into the high school or is on its way include weight racks, leg machines, dumb bells, benches and more.
The decision to more than double the original goal to $30,000 followed a $12,000 donation from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 711.
Bertollo said the effort was still about $3,000 short, but he remained optimistic.
Other fundraising efforts in the past year have included rebuilding the press box on the athletic field and buying bleachers and a new public address system.
Bertollo, who has worked with parent organizations and the local recreation department on the fundraisers, has never held a specific event to gather donations. Instead he goes door to door or talks to businesses and fellow residents.
"This is not my first project," he said. "I can tell you Hawthorne is always very giving."
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