Make Every Rep Count

Make Every Rep Count “Make Every Rep Count” (MERC) uses the forum of competitive weightlifting to raise funds and generate awareness for the deserving organizations. Waynesboro, VA.

Unite the Valley fitness community for the cause of supporting 4 outstanding local charities: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, MaDee Project, Boys & Girls Club, & WARM (Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry). In annual events over the past ten years, our competitors have raised $99,000 for charity - given generously by local businesses, private donors, and the athletes themselves. Athletes “qualify” for MERC

by making a personal donation of $25 or more to their chosen charity. In addition, each athlete is required to recruit THREE OR MORE business and/or private sponsors who make a flat donation to charity/charities, or pledge a donation(s) based on max pounds the athlete lifts or reps completed during competition. Sponsor options:
1. Squats – Athlete squats her “max weight”, sponsor pledges 30 cents or more per pound lifted.
2. Deadlift – Athlete pulls her “max weight”, sponsor pledges 30 cents or more per pound lifted.
3. Bench Press – Athlete presses her “max weight”, sponsor pledges 55 cents or more per pound lifted.
4. Power Clean – Athlete cleans 60% of her body weight for as many repetitions as possible in 60 seconds, sponsor pledges $2 or more per repetition.
5. Keg Carry – Athlete carries each keg 20 yards and loads it on a platform. The athlete completes as many trips as possible in 60 seconds, sponsor pledges $15 or more per keg loaded.
6. Flat Donation – Sponsor makes a flat donation of $25 or more to one or to multiple charities. Prizes will be awarded to five event winners across four divisions: Women’s 125lb Division, Women’s 150lb Division, Women’s 175lb Division, and Women’s Unlimited Division. The overall MERC winner will be the athlete with the greatest amount of dollars earned for her charities. Make Every Rep Count will be promoted via social media, on charitable organization web pages, and sponsor websites. The MERC weightlifting event will be live-streamed on Facebook for friends and family to enjoy!
- Competition Date: 11/8/25
- Competition Time: 10am
- Competition Location: Shenandoah Powerhouse - 200 West 12th St. Due to space limitations, only athletes and handlers may attend in-person. Friends and family are invited to participate via Facebook live-stream.
- Competition Contact: Wayne Williams 540-942-9466; email [email protected]

100% of funds generated by athletes and sponsors, and donations made directly through Make Every Rep Count go to the designated charities. Donations are tax-deductible. Shenandoah Powerhouse Gym is the fundraising organizer and event host.

11/23/2025

Great coverage by Ian at the News Virginian! Thanks to our incredible lifters from Shenandoah Powerhouse Gym & Fitness Center and CrossFit Anazao for flexing their collective muscle to make a difference in our community! Thanks to Shenandoah Powerhouse for letting us borrow the Hulk Garage for the lift, and to Stable Craft Brewing for providing the hardware for our keg carry! Most of all, thanks to all our neighbors for digging deep and giving generously to our local charities! 💪💪💪

11/17/2025

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SPONSORED AN INCREDIBLE ATHLETE (💪) AND SUPPORTED OUR DESERVING LOCAL CHARITIES!

ALINA MCKIBBEN💪, REBECCA RIDER, BELINDA MISKELL, SARA POWELL, KATRINA CRAWFORD, ANGELINA HERRING 💪, DENVER RIGGLEMAN, ARTHUR FISHER, ROBIN SCOTT, LOGOLDIA PAYNE, JEFF FRY, DEAN CLARK, KARIE WEEKS, JACK BLACK, DENNIS HERRING, ASHLEY WOOD, DAVID WALL, LEAH MUSSELMAN, MELISSA FISHER, DONNA BLETZ, CINDY SHEETS💪, JOEY SANTIAGO, RACHEL BENSON💪, HANNAH EASTMAN, JASON EASTMAN, JOHNNY BENSON, JOSH EASTMAN, DANIELLE GRANGER💪, LUKE ALLISON, ROBERT GRANGER, JONATHAN FOLLMER, TOM TILLAR, MICKEY HAYES, MICHAEL ABBOTT, MATTHEW WEINBERGER, STEVE CRITCHFIELD, ERIC & CHARLOTTE LUCAS, NOELLE DAVIS💪, RUTH GRAHAM, KIM STAUDINGER, ALLISON WOODSIDE, LESLIE LEPAGE, KENDALL CRUSSE, ANDREW ZAPANTA, ELIZABETH HOWE, BECKY MEYER, BECCA GROUCHY, CATHY BREAUX, MAGGIE DIJKSTRA, JAKE CLARK, RACHEL HAMILTON💪, WOODWORTH ANIMAL HOSPITAL STAFF, JULIE BULLOCK, KELLEY W. CARTER, KENDRA SHEARD💪, SARAH ETHEREDGE, NATHAN ZASLER, TERESA BOSCHEN, BOB & JEAN SHEARD, JACQUELINE THEIS, JAMIN SHEARD, LAUREN KOSSIN💪, LORI HATTER, ASHLEY WOOD, JAMIE SHAND, SCOTT TAYLOR, REBECCA CAMPBELL, KAREN KOSSIN, JASMINE MAY PRITTIE, GRIER MCCAIN💪, SHELLIE MCCAIN, BRADLEY ACCIPITER, PARIS LEVINOVITZ, BRIDGET WALSH, LINDSAY WILLIAMS💪, JASON ERWIN, DELORIS BENN, DOROTHY WILLIAMS, VIRGINIA & MICHAEL ERWIN, KELLY & BRANDON SHEELY, WOOD RENTALS, BURK & LINDA HERSHEY, MARY SCHAEFER, MARY HONBARRIER, JOE EARHART, SHENANDOAH POWERHOUSE GYM, DEBBIE SANDRIDGE💪, P&S ELECTRIC, STACY & TERRY SPENCER, ANA CHILDRESS, NORMA DAMERON, DONNA & RICK SANDRIDGE, JOYCE BROOKS, BILL & TRISH HUESTIS, CLASSIC AUTO BODY, DONNA & GENE ABSHIRE, TERESA & SCOTT CHILDRESS, DOUG & DEB CASSATT, BARBARA & MIKE WOODS, SHERRI SLOAN, DEB & BRUCE ALLEN, TC & CATHY MCDANIEL, PHIL & SUSAN SANDRIDGE, KAREN WARD, MARK BOWLES, BRIANA SHELTON, VIOLET & CAREY MCCALLUM, NIKKI OVERTON💪, ROBIN & CHERYL FOREHAND, TRACY MCBRIDE, BARRETT OVERTON, DEBBIE CRUM💪, SHARON-ANN TOLLEY, SANDY ROYALS, NICOLE TERRELL, F45 STAUNTON, TAMMY TERRELL, GARY CRUM, KATIE HEBERT, REESI MARTIN💪, MICHAEL HEARN, MARY RAD MORRIS, KIRTLY RAETHER, MEGAN CATTERTON, LAQUISHA KING-MYERS💪, K PROJECT MANAGEMENT, SCOTT BURNER, ANITA JUSTUS, JOE WILLS, MEGAN MCKAY, ALEXANDRA HAAS, TERESA GREEN, CAROLYN CLAYTOR, ROBERT JONES, VICKIE PAINTER, JEANIE DEAN, BRIAN LOWERY, ROBIN BROWN, KELLY COFFEY, ALYSSA ROBINSON & MASON COFFEY, MARIBEL TORREZ, MICHAEL SHARUM, BODY BESPOKE LLC, LESLIE BRANNER, HEALING PATH CHIROPRACTIC, CHARLOTTESVILLE CAT CARE, MARIANELA PARISI, STACY CAMPBELL, MARGARET V DESIMONE, RACHEL LIPTRAP💪, ALEISHA HARRIS, DONNA LIPTRAP, MATTHEW PRICE, NEWMAN GROOMIN', JENNIFER TALLEY💪, MELISSA CARTER💪, HERSHEY STUARTS DRAFT, NAKS LLC, WOOD WORKS ENTERPRISES LLC, LINGO NETWORKS, EARL SWIFT, SHARA AREY, KATHRYN WARD, SANDRA THURMAN, NICK PUGLESE, PRINS BROWN, WADDELL SPEARS, ANDY FISHER, ANGELA JONES-CRAWFORD, DEBBIE HOKE, TAMMY ROWE, JR GILBERT, BLAKE, DOTTIE ROBERSON, JEANNE BOWLES, CAMERON DULL, ELIK FRAZIER, BRADY LOUK, JUSTIN PETERS, ARNOLD PERRY, CURTIS BOSSERMAN, ERICK VAN RIKXOORT, BARBARA CIRCELLI, SHERI FAGLE, NATHAN PAYNE, WOODY LUCKETT, JOSE DAVID AGUILERA, BRANDY BURRUSS, W***Y BOYE, KERRI MORRIS, MICHAEL HODGE, MICHELLE JONES, LANCE SCOTT, KIMBERLY YANKY, RENEE SPROUSE, BRYCE NORMAN, DANIELLE RODEFFER, CHAD REXRODE, DONNA WILSON, AUDREY MORGAN, JANETTE SHIPE, ROBERT CRISSMAN, TRACEY HOLMES, KARA MCENIRY, ROBERT WAGNER, NICOLE THEOBOLD, DAVID & CINDI CUSTARD, ARAYA RUTH BROWN, MICHAEL ADAMS, CARRIE WOOD, DALE WAGNER, GERALD COLEMAN, STACY JONES

11/09/2025

They came, they lifted, they conquered! An incredible $21,772.50 was raised for charity today, shattering the MERC fundraising record by $6,000. Props to an amazing group of athletes - The Greatest of All Time! 🏆🏆🏆

Here's the breakdown by charity:
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank - $8,019.15
Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry - $5,220.25
MaDee Project - $4,493.70
Boys & Girls Club of Waynesboro, Staunton, & Augusta County - $4,039.40

11/05/2025

Hi, all. A few of you have asked about online donations and where they can be made. I'm including links for all the charities below. Remember to collect a copy of each online payment receipt and include it when you turn in sponsor donations. 💪

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/waynesboro-area-refuge-ministry/warm

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/boys-girls-club-of-augusta-waynesboro/invest-in-boys-girls-club-of-waynesboro-staunton-augusta-county

https://give.brafb.org/give/508375 #!/donation/checkout

https://community-foundation-of-the-central-blue-ridge.networkforgood.com/projects/154992-the-madee-project

11/03/2025

MERC Tees Are In! Swing by to pick yours up any time before Saturday's competition. If you haven't turned in your sponsor pledge forms or athlete charity donation, please bring those to Shenandoah Powerhouse.

Also, several of you have asked about the different ways to collect donations from your Sponsors:

Cash - Collect cash and turn that in with a copy of the Sponsor's Pledge Form.

Online - If the Sponsor chooses to donate online, ask them to print or email the online receipt and turn that in with your donations.

Check - Sponsors should make checks out to the charity name with MERC in the "for" field.

Questions? Just message me here. Thanks!

11/03/2025

Hi, ladies! The deadline for turning in 1) your personal charity donation and 2) pledge forms for your sponsors is Monday, 11/3.

Please turn these in at Shenandoah Powerhouse so we can assign to the charities and get everything set for Saturday's competition.

Thanks!

10/30/2025

To help with your final week of competition prep, here's a summary of our MERC competition rules/guidelines:

Allowed lifting equipment includes lifting belts, single ply wrist wraps, single ply knee wraps, knee sleeves, weightlifting/crossfit/sports shoes, deadlift slippers, chalk. No lifting straps, bench/squat suits, or elbow sleeves. We provide competition bars for athletes to use for the different lifts.

1. Squat - The athlete backs out with the bar on shoulders and assumes squat position - legs straight, body still, bar controlled. The athlete awaits the "squat" command and begins the movement when ready, dropping down under control until the top of the legs at the hip joint (crease) is lower than the top of the knees. The athlete drives up to full standing position and waits for the "rack" command from the judge.
2. Bench Press - The athlete takes a lift off from the spotters or unracks the bar herself. Feet are on the floor, shoulders and hips are on bench. Once stabilized and arms extended above the chest, the "start" command is given and the athlete may commence the lift. The bar must contact the chest/abdomen and remain until the "press" command is given. Athlete completes the lift by extending both arms fully and controlling the bar until the "rack" command is given by the judge.
3. Deadlift - Over-over or alternate-grip is acceptable. Athlete pulls the bar from the platform to an erect standing position with shoulders back. Athlete controls the bar at the motionless, finish position until given the "down" command. Athlete lowers the bar to the platform, maintaining control with both hands.
4. Clean - Touch and go. Athlete has 60 seconds to perform as many full reps as she can with a bar loaded at 60% of body weight. For a qualifying rep, the athlete pulls the bar from the floor in a single motion to a front rack position at the shoulders. Hands must maintain contact with the bar as it is returned to the floor. The clock begins when the athlete initiates the movement from the floor on rep one.
5. Keg Carry - Athlete has 90 seconds to carry and stack the most kegs (up to 5) in the least amount of time. Carry distance is 15 yards.
6. Weigh-ins are performed when the athlete arrives at the competition. Athletes should report promptly at 9am to do weigh-ins, complete any paperwork, review the competition flow/guidelines, and warm up. Each athlete is allowed to bring along one handler to assist with the competition and prep.

Spectators may view the competition on Facebook Make Every Rep Count starting at 10am.

Good luck, ladies. May your lifts be strong!

10/28/2025

MERC Halloween Deadline! October 31st is the final day for turning in your MERC Athlete Enrollment form. Get yours in before it's too late!

10/31/25 - Athlete Entry Forms are due (email/mail to Wayne or drop off at Shenandoah Powerhouse).
11/3/25 – All Sponsor/Pledge Forms (THREE OR MORE) and the Athlete Personal Donation* ($25 or more) must be dropped off at Powerhouse.
11/8/25 – EVENT DAY. Time to shine! All athletes should arrive at Powerhouse by 9am for check-in.

10/22/2025

THE FINAL LIFTER IS IN! We're looking at a strong field of 23 ladies this year. The event is less than 3 weeks away, so keep grinding in the gym and pounding the pavement for sponsors. Let's make this a MERC to remember!

Here are some important dates to note. Links to forms are on the Make Every Rep Count FB page:

10/31/25 - Athlete Entry Forms are due (email/mail to Wayne or drop off at Shenandoah Powerhouse).
11/3/25 – All Sponsor/Pledge Forms (THREE OR MORE) and the Athlete Personal Donation* ($25 or more) must be dropped off at Powerhouse.
11/8/25 – EVENT DAY. Time to shine! All athletes should arrive at Powerhouse by 9am.

10/14/2025

TIME IS ALMOST UP to reserve your Make Every Rep Count tee and join our November fundraising lift-a-palooza! 10/20 is the deadline for grabbing yours. Just follow the link to the tee! https://www.customink.com/g/qks0-00cz-s0wv

Address

200 West 12th Street
Waynesboro, VA
22980

Telephone

+15409429466

Website

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