Terakeet is as committed to making health and fitness opportunities accessible to our workforce as we are in investing in the community we call home. So when our employees heard about the Kilter Rewards Challenge, we were all in!
Kilter Rewards is an app that was created by Seth Braddock, a former Syracuse native. Kilter states that their mission is “to make a positive impact on the health of the world.” Kilter users participate in a series of fitness challenges for a chance to win a donation to a cause of their choice. The app hosts a variety of different challenges that work in different ways, from employer challenges to individual ones.
Nicole Burun (Human Resources Administrator) described how she first encountered Kilter, and what it means for our efforts with our internal charity, Cause for the Cuse.
“When Seth Braddock (founder and CEO of the Kilter app) approached me and said that Kilter challenges could be tied to fundraising for a charitable organization we picked, I knew immediately that we had to be involved. By participating in these fitness challenges, we could raise money for Cause for the Cuse, and that would directly benefit the children of the Syracuse City School District.”
Nicole continued, “One of the things I love most about this challenge is that it brings us all together and allows us to build relationships with other employees that we might not talk to in our day to day jobs. On top of bringing the team together, it generates some healthy competition amongst other Syracuse-area companies, so I’d call that a win-win.”
Terakeet first entered the Kilter Rewards Challenge in the summer of 2019 for the app’s “Summer Cause Challenge.” This challenge involved a large number of companies from all over the country, all competing to win a donation to the charity of their choice.
It was a close race, but Terakeet won the challenge, winning $1400. We also moved on to Kilter’s “Fall Challenge.” This fitness competition was slightly different, with all competing companies hailing from the Syracuse area. The pressure was on, since the top four teams from that challenge would move on to Kilter’s “Fall Championship Bracket.”
Nicole talked a little bit about the competition, saying, “I was taking a prep course at LeMoyne with other HR professionals in the area, including the captains of some other Kilter teams. Terakeet’s team was on top of the challenges week after week, and it made for some spirited dialogue and healthy competition between local companies that was really fun!”
You may wonder, what was Terakeet’s secret to crushing these fitness challenges? Simple: our awesome people! We would not have been able to win these challenges and raise money for Syracuse schools without our ‘Keeters consistently getting active, uplifting each other and staying focused on the greater good.
Challenge participants were asked to meet a daily activity level, which was measured using a smart-connected device or manually entered into the app. Sometimes it can be hard to take time for fitness on a busy day, but our ‘Keeters were determined to make it happen!
Nicole said, “That lazy Sunday where you don’t want to get off the couch but you have to get your points in for the day? I would get up and go for a 30 minute walk and it got me motivated and energized for the day.”
Whether it was to stretch their legs with a stroll to Starbucks in Armory Square, a free yoga class in Clinton Square or a quick stop at the gym, Terakeet’s contestants found a variety of ways to work out for a good cause. Many spent time at one of ‘Cuse Camp’s many bootcamp locations.
‘Cuse Camp has been a great supporter of Syracuse Schools – in the past, they’ve offered discounted memberships and donated all proceeds to Cause for the Cuse. In addition, the ‘Cuse Camp locations collected donations of school supplies and hygiene items for Cause for the Cuse. In total, ‘Cuse Camp has donated more than $1,000 to help Syracuse schoolchildren!
The cost of a gym membership can be a huge barrier to a healthy lifestyle. That’s why Terakeet is committed to making wellness a cornerstone of its benefits package. This includes a sponsored membership to Aspen Fitness for each and every Terakeet employee. We’ve heard that not only does access to one of Aspen’s four fitness clubs make it easier for our employees to work out on a daily basis, but it also provides a place for ‘Keeters to connect and bond.
Terakeet is currently competing in Kilter’s “Fall Fitness Championship Bracket,” vying for a $1,000 donation to Cause for the Cuse alongside another local team and two teams as far flung as Fort Worth, Texas and Louisville, Kentucky. So far, we’re in first place! We can’t stress enough how much every dollar donated benefits our community’s children and their families. We’re so proud of our ‘Keeters for getting fit for a good cause, and “Donating Their Hustle” with Kilter Rewards!
