10/07/2025
Dear Netawaka Family Fitness Center Members & Guests,
It is with great appreciation and thankfulness that we’re able to proclaim that the Netawaka Family Fitness Center, that so many of the residents of NE Kansas have come to rely on and enjoy, is coming up on its 12th year anniversary.
This 501c3 non-profit facility was built and funded by Netawaka Alumna Bobbi (Zwonitzer) Reiman, and her husband Roy, and given to the community as a gift. In 2020, the community took full responsibility for funding, operating and maintaining the facility. The most amazing part of the story is that the facility survived the pandemic, when several other businesses across the country had to close. All this was done while maintaining very affordable membership fees for the number of amenities offered. This was only possible with the support of folks like Bob & June Carson, as well as many other local individuals, businesses, and clubs who all played a vital part in bringing this dream to a rural community into a reality.
As a result, this facility has become a large part of the community and very instrumental in improving the health and well-being of many of the members. There are many examples of people sharing the impact this facility has had on them and in some cases literally saved their lives. Some of those testimonials are attached.
The purpose of this letter, besides bringing awareness of the benefits and importance of this facility to the community, is to ask for your financial support in addressing a number of repairs that are needed to keep the facility functioning.
Specifically, enhancing our poolroom with upgraded H-VAC equipment to better support the adverse conditions we often deal with in the coldest and hottest months of the year. We are also fortifying the outer cinderblock walls surrounding our indoor pool with insulation. There is substantial cost with this approaching $75,000.00. By the grace of God, we have been able to operationally sustain ourselves through the monthly revenue taken in over the years. The maintenance of the building, however, and its subsequent equipment replacements that are inevitable, have always been the biggest threat to our community non-profit’s longevity.
In closing, please consider donating to Netawaka’s most cherished gift to, not only its residents, but to so many whose health and wellness benefit from it daily, in all our surrounding counties and communities. We wouldn’t continue to exist without you. On behalf of all of us here at the Netawaka Family Fitness Center, we hope you’ll consider a donation, of any size, to help us in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Scott Steffes, GM (785) 933-2616
Brad Grieves – Board President (913) 302-5369
Testimonials:
Male, 67 (Netawaka) – Has said that he doesn’t know that he’d be alive today if it weren’t for the NFFC. He has a myriad of serious health conditions that his daily exercises here, over the years, have been kept at bay, specifically diabetes and heart issues.
(This individual has been a member here for over 8 years.)
Male, 46 (Whiting) – Was considerably over-weight before joining our gym. He has significantly reduced his weight and works out here regularly. He praises the fact that this facility exists out here for him and his family to enjoy and maintain the active lifestyle they’ve committed to.
(He and his family have been members for over 10 years.)
Male, 76 (Effingham) – He was a retired electrician that had a serious fall while on the job. He was very limited in his mobility for months. It was a painful and slow process for him to walk from the parking lot to our front door. Over time, he recovered from his fall and attributes our pool as the reason.
(He and his wife have been members here for 10 years.)
Male, 81 (Horton) – is a member that had been coming here to exercise for years with his significant other, but when she passed, he found solace here beyond just the physical activities the facility provided. He visited with other members and staff as a way of coping with her passing. He had health issues that kept him away for several months but is now back and once again enjoying the pool, as well as the comradery with friends he’s made over the years here.
(He originally started his membership here in 2016.)
Male, 82 (Netawaka) Became less and less ambulatory over the last several years. He comes here with his wife, who works out while he does his physical therapy. He is still able to walk, primarily because of the great physical therapists we have and the regular work they do with him.
(This couple have been members for over 10 years.)
Female, 84 (Wetmore) – Has commented several times about how having this facility keeps her moving, no matter the temperatures outside. She says that she wouldn’t be able to work out like she does at home because she doesn’t have any equipment in which to do so. She did physical therapy here to begin with and became a member after she completed her therapy to continue her physical fitness activities.
(She has been a member for just over a year and a half.)
Female, 38 (Holton) - Has a family membership. They come here almost daily to enjoy the pool and use the fitness equipment and gymnasium. This has helped her family stay active together. Her parents joined also to be active with her, and their grandkids.
(They have been members for 5 months.)
This is just a small sample size of some of the members that have greatly benefited from the existence of the Netawaka Family Fitness Center. Its true purpose can only be measured by the lives that have benefited from it.
