- On April 25th, 2019, Arundel Lodge celebrated the Grand Opening of the John W. Brick Memorial Fitness center, alongside Victor and Lynne Brick and Merrill and Sherry Brick of Maryland’s Brick Bodies and Planet Fitness. Senator Sarah Elfreth, Delegate Alice Cain, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, States Attorney Anne Colt Leitiss, other state and county government officials, staff, clients, and community members joined in the celebration.
- In 2016, Victor and Lynne Brick, along with friends and family, founded The John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation in honor of Victor’s brother, John, who died of complications of schizophrenia at the age of 62. The Brick family believes that a focus on holistic wellness that includes a sound diet and exercise could have greatly improved John’s mental health. As a younger brother, Victor has many early memories of his big brother, sticking up for him and teaching him the ropes. When John was diagnosed with schizophrenia, it became Victor’s turn to support and take care of his older brother. In the process, Victor observed that, “throughout all of John’s illness, at some of the best hospitals and institutions in the world, never once was exercise, diet, or a healthy lifestyle included in John’s treatment plan.” The Brick family wants to change that. “I liked what I saw at Arundel Lodge”, says Victor. “They provide so many opportunities for wellness–therapy, employment help, medical care and coordination, home supports, life-skills classes, healthy meals, and they do it with compassion and respect. I knew this was something of which we needed to be a part. We were in a position to join forces and make a real impact in this community. That means something to Lynne and me.”
- “I liked what I saw at Arundel Lodge. They provide so many opportunities for wellness–therapy, employment help, medical care and coordination, home supports, life-skills classes, healthy meals, and they do it with compassion and respect.”
- We are so grateful to the Bricks for partnering with Arundel Lodge to bring the healing gift of physical fitness to community members in recovery!
- Lynne and Victor Brick are the owners of Planet Fitness Growth Partners, LLC. They are also the founders of the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation, whose mission is to fund, conduct, and promote research on hohttps://www.johnwbrickfoundation.org/w exercise benefits mental health.
- Read more about their Foundation here.
