Reporter staff

Get fit, burn calories and support a good cause.

Corestar Pilates – in conjunction with the City of Auburn – presents its fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Sampler, an exercise program and nonperishable food drive Thursday.

The four-part session runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Gymnasium at Les Gove Park, 910 Ninth St. SE.

Proceeds benefit the Auburn Food Bank.

Ruth Stover, owner and operator of Corestar Pilates, joins fellow instructors Lisa Nihem, Erin Finney and Angie Waterman in donating their time on Thanksgiving Day. The program includes separate 30-minute sessions in yoga (9-9:30), barefoot fusion (9:30-10), Pilates (10-10:30) and Zumba (10:30-11). Participants can stay for one or all four sessions.

Please bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. Some mats will be provided.

Participants are asked to make a $10 donation and bring nonperishable food.

The benefit has grown in size and support each year. Stover’s studio on Main Street attracted about 15 people and raised under $50 in its first year. The benefit at the new gym brought in more than 40 participants, raising more than $700 and collecting a good bulk of food last year.

“My goal this year is to raise $1,000. I think it’s do-able,” Stover said. “It’s my little way of giving back to the community.

“It is a very fun event for a great cause … and one where everyone benefits, even the participants,” Stover said.

For more information and to preregister, contact Stover at 206-914-0112, or info@corestarpilates.com, or visit www.corestarpilates.com.