Sweating for good

Firefighters take on 22 Pushup Challenge

Fort Lauderdale firefighters are at the leading edge of the newest charity campaign.

The 22 Pushup Challenge aims to bring awareness to the high numbers of veterans who commit suicide every year. Participants hit the ground and do 22 pushups each day for 22 days.

The number 22 represents veterans who take their lives daily in the U.S., according to the website 22Kill.com, which organizes the drive. That adds up to more than 7,000 annually.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Station No. 2, located downtown at 528NWSecond St., was among the first to accept the task locally. About 32 personnel attended the kickoff, said the department’s public information officer Capt. GregoryMay.

Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue followed just days later with pushups on the beach. Fire chiefs in Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Broward Sheriff’s Office also took on the firefighter’s request.

“More departments will keep it snowballing from there,” May said.

It’s part of a global effort. Parttime Fort Lauderdale resident Pete Growy is spearheading the drive. His flexible work schedule as a yacht captain allows him to travel, and he’s taking the challenge door-to-door on his journeys, he said.

“You nominate someone each day. It’s the domino effect,” Growy said. “A friend nominated me; an Australian Army vet got me started.”

The native Australian got involved when he saw veterans “having a tough time,” he said.

“Too many people go to Iraq. And when they come back, they’ve lost their jobs. Now that they’re over here, they’re forgotten. It’s about these people keeping us safe in the world,” Growy said.

To qualify, participants document themselves on video performing the drill for 22 days; then upload it to social media. Or-

ganizers aim to reach 22 million pushups completed.

No money is raised. But education about post traumatic stress syndrome and the veteran’s plight is reaching many.

Locally, the 22 Pushup Challenge is generating big buzz. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue’s Facebook video has more than 300,000 views and thousands of shares, May said.

“Hat’s off to the fire department,” Growy said. “More people know about it. That’smy goal.”