HARTZ Physical Therapy (PT) recently presented a check for $17,500 to GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster, a nonprofit Down Syndrome Achievement Center. The money was the result of HARTZ PT's annual Fall Blast 5K Run, Walk and Kids Color Run, which was held Oct. 5 at John R. Bonfield Elementary School in Lititz. This year's race had 300 registered runners and 40 children who participated in the kids' run. Devan Soto from Red Lion came in first place with a time of 16 minutes, 15.3 seconds.

This is the second year that the event has benefited GiGi's Playhouse. According to Alisha Fitzwater, GiGi's programs coordinator and board member, last year's funds were put toward the "Believe in Our Build Campaign" to create and furnish a new GiGiFIT Fitness Room in the site's new playhouse. This year, she said, funds will be used to run weekly GiGiFIT fitness and nutrition programming for participants with Down syndrome age 6 months through adults.

Through the HARTZ PT Charitable Organization, founded in 2020, HARTZ PT spends an average of 50 volunteer hours and contributes more than $1,000 per employee in support of local charities each year. To date, the company has raised more than $331,000 by planning various charitable events, including an April food drive to benefit a Power Packs Project called Feed the Need and its annual Spring Swing golf tournament.  

Bench Mark Program, Off the Streets Lancaster, A Week Away, Aaron's Acres, Lancaster Science Factory and Hospice & Community Care are a few of the other local charities that have benefited from HARTZ PT's charitable programs.