When it was announced that Will Surbaugh of Grand Marais planned to do 500 push-ups in an hour at a fundraising event, some were skeptical. Could an 11-year-old really do that many push-ups? Would an elementary school student have the determination to finish such an undertaking? And what is the cause that made this young man go to such an effort? There was a crowd on hand at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19 at the North House Folk School to find out.
Although 500 push-ups in an hour is a challenge, it is just the start of Will’s long-range life goals. After attending his cousin’s 2010 graduation from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Will did some research on the Navy—and Navy Seals in particular. He read The Heart and the Fist by former Navy Seal Eric Greitens and learned that Greitens had not only served his country in the Navy, but he was continuing to serve through his nonprofit organization The Mission Continues.
Will and his parents, Steve and Kate Surbaugh, were impressed with The Mission Continues, which, according to its website “challenges veterans to serve and lead in communities across America” by funding internships at community nonprofits. They liked that the organization worked to help struggling veterans find the same purpose “at home” as they found in the military.
Will has decided that he wants to be a Navy Seal when he grows up, as well as a humanitarian like Greitens. To reach the first goal, Will has been working out—doing chin-ups, push-ups, rope climbing and carrying weights (his little brother and sister) and running. His goal of being in the Navy is a long way off.
However, Will realized that even an 11-year-old could do something to help others. He donated money he raised through his after-school firewood business to The Mission Continues. Greitens responded, impressed with the young man’s initiative. A friendship blossomed between the Surbaughs and Greitens and Steve eventually contacted North House Folk School to see if it would become a host organization for a veteran intern. “Ideally,” said Steve, “we would love to find a post-9/11 veteran from our community who would want to apply for the fellowship, come back and serve in our community.”
Will and his family decided to build on his first donation and they have committed to raising $10,000 to fully fund a fellowship here in Minnesota. Will came up with the perfect idea, combining his athletic training with his humanitarian ideals. He would see how many push-ups he could do in an hour, accepting pledges to The Mission Continues.
At first Will didn’t say how many he would attempt, but he was eventually challenged to try for 500. His dad explains that it happened when he and Will traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to meet Eric Greitens at the launch of his latest book The Warrior’s Heart: Becoming a Man of Compassion and Courage. Steve said the trip culminated with Will getting up on stage at Maryville University to introduce Greitens to a crowd of about 500 people at the book launch.
Following the event, a former Marine asked Will how many push-ups he thought he could do. Will answered “maybe 500” and the challenge was on.
On December 19, in front of a supportive crowd of family and friends at North House, Will took on the challenge, starting at 5 p.m. in front of a relatively quiet crowd. As he began doing 10 pushups, pausing for 10 seconds and then doing 10 more, the crowd got excited. Athletic trainer Greg Nichols counted and kept time and encouraged audience members to do a few push-ups. A few of Will’s friends—Keenan, Ole, and Lyndon—joined him on the floor for a few sets. A few grownups joined in. Steve Waver pushed him to do 15 push-ups at a time for a few sets. Cook County Viking football player Mark Marxen joined for over 100 push-ups.
An older gentleman brought some laughter when he tossed money in the donation basket and called out, “Will, I’ll donate some money so I don’t have to do push-ups with you!”
The crowd cheered as Will finished 102 push-ups; then 202; then 331. He kept going as others rotated in and out to lend moral support. He didn’t even look tired as he reached 400 and had to be reminded to drink some water. When he reached 500, there was a roar of approval—and Will kept going!
The final count of push-ups by this dogged young man was 630 push-ups in one hour!
The family had already raised $1,700 for The Mission Continues and the event brought in $2,600. If you would like to help Will reach the remainder of his $10,000 goal, contact Steve Surbaugh at steves@boreal.org or call (218) 370-9757 for more information.
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