Nearly 20,000 pounds were lifted to benefit the community as part of the 2022 Penny For A Pound fundraiser.

A total of 17 first responders representing four different public safety agencies participated in the annual weightlifting challenge, which was held April 9 at 614 Barbell in Hilliard. In total, the participants lifted 19,240 pounds.

Penny For A Pound was started by City of Hilliard Division of Police officers in 2016 but has since grown to include Norwich Township firefighters and first responders from throughout Ohio.

The fundraiser works by having each participating police officer or firefighter perform a bench press, deadlift, squat and overhead press. The individual gets four chances at each lift. The highest weight at each lift is combined for each individual’s total.

Donors are asked to sponsor one or more lifters. A suggested donation is one penny for each pound. So, if an officer lifts 1,500 pounds, the donation is $15. Flat fee donations are also accepted.

Donations will be accepted through April 19. Sponsor a first responder here:

In the past, the event has benefited the Hilliard Food Pantry, Get Behind the Badge (which supports family members of fallen officers), Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Special Olympics Ohio.

This year’s charity is Honor Flight Columbus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring America’s veterans from WWII through the Vietnam War with a trip to Washington, DC, to visit their service and war memorials. The organization, which is funded entirely by donations, has successfully flown 112 missions that totaled more than 8,000 veterans.

“This is an organization that means a lot to many of us,” said HPD’s Lt. Doug Lightfoot, event organizer. “It’s a pleasure to give back to these veterans who have given so much to us.”