Lincoln Barbell’s first ‘Pulls for Pets’ raises $2,237 for Penobscot Valley Humane Society
The pull-up and deadlift challenge beat its $1,500 goal by more than 49 percent. Organizers say they plan to hold it again.
LINCOLN — Lifters at Lincoln Barbell raised $2,237 for the Penobscot Valley Humane Society on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the gym’s first “Pulls for Pets” fundraiser.
The gym and the shelter announced the total in a joint Facebook post. The amount is well above the $1,500 goal owner Patricia Morris set before the event, WABI TV5 reported. About $1,300 had come in before the event began.
The challenge ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the gym, 31 School St. Contestants paid a $20 entry fee, got a free t-shirt, and took on pull-up and max deadlift challenges. Supporters could also pledge money or donate by the pound, in the tradition of “pennies for pounds,” according to WABI.
“Every penny counts! Every pound lifted counts!” the post said. It congratulated lifters who set new personal records and thanked everyone who donated, pledged, or took part.
Seventeen lifters took part, Morris said in an email to Lincoln Town Square. “Almost everyone lifted more than what they expected,” she said, crediting a few tips and cues on technique.
Morris has a personal connection to the cause. She adopted her Jack Russell terrier from the shelter in January 2025, she told WABI that people “need to be more aware to adopt and not get into breeding.” “Providing for animals that need it the most means a lot to me,” Morris said. “Most times animal care gets put on the back burner for funds and it breaks my heart. I do what I can to help.”
Asked for the best moment of the day, Morris said there were many. “Throughout the entire day everyone cheered for each other and the camaraderie was through the roof,” she said. “That is what Lincoln Barbell is about! We support each other no matter what the goal is!”
The post also thanked the Cold Stream Cruzers “for always showing up and supporting a great cause.” It thanked Burlington General Store for its support and pointed to a Harvest Fest on Oct. 10.
Morris said she plans to bring a trap bar, weight plates and dumbbells to the Harvest Fest for fitness tests, along with pound-for-pound lifts where people can win prizes. The prizes include a free month’s membership, drop-in passes and Lincoln Barbell merchandise. Because the equipment will be outdoors, she said bad weather could keep her from running the lifts. In that case she would still attend, sell merchandise and hold a raffle for a free month and drop-in passes.
The Penobscot Valley Humane Society is at 1 Park Ave. in Lincoln. The shelter did not say how it will use the money, Morris said, only that it will go to good use. She said the shelter plans to renovate its washroom in the near future and that the donation will help toward that.
Organizers called it the “1st Annual” Pulls for Pets and said they plan to raise more each year. They later posted a video of the deadlifts and pull-ups is coming. Morris called it “the first event of many more to come.”
Video: Lincoln Barbell on Facebook
People who want to support the shelter can call (207) 794-3457. Adoption visits are by appointment only.