Press Release
Local Nonprofit Relaunches Effort to Provide No-Cost Fitness and Wellness Solutions
Del Rawlings has used the mantra Drive on and Do Good for more than 35 years. When he was a Light Infantry Sergeant in the army, he repeated it to his soldiers. With that experience and his lifelong martial arts training, he realized his dream to become a fitness trainer and had multiple gym locations. He urged his clients to work hard on their physical selves and go out into the community to help others, and he’s watched many people do just that. After suffering a health setback of his own and recovering from it, Rawlings strengthened his own resolve to live his mantra.
Le Tigre Blanc, Inc. (www.letigrelendsahand.life), a 501(C)(3) corporation, was founded in 2018 to provide tools and teach skills necessary to properly lose weight and maintain optimum health. In spite of quietly training more than 700 people under this program, alongside his regular clients, the mission of Le Tigre Blanc faded into the background during the pandemic. But late in 2024, the board reconvened to create some serious momentum toward increasing the fitness level of people in the Maryland area and beyond who need help to achieve their goals but don’t have the financial ability to hire a trainer who can guide them. People from 11 states and even some from overseas to include our deployed Military Service Members have been recipients of training from Le Tigre Blanc, Inc.
Despite nutrition, physical education requirements, and other governmental policies to promote better health, obesity-related diseases continue to rise. Costs associated with this overwhelming worldwide epidemic have skyrocketed, including direct healthcare costs, workplace productivity, absenteeism in school and work, as well as premature disability and mortality. The pandemic further damaged the fitness levels of many people who have stopped engaging in any group fitness activities.
The board of Le Tigre Blanc, Inc. seeks to raise $1.5 million to better fund the organization. Goals include expansion of Rawlings’ in-person and online training capabilities and the purchase of a vehicle that will be used to bring programs like transformation boot camps and other pop-up group events to a wider range of locations, including those outside of Maryland on a National scale as well.
