Gym owner hopes to make Thanksgiving extra special for families in need

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A gym owner in Fresno is looking to brighten up Thanksgiving for families in need.

Felix Gonzalez, owner of Fitness Grind and Performance, said last year he was able to give back by providing turkeys for families.

"A cheerful giver always warms peoples hearts," he said with a smile on his face.

This year he wanted to take it a step further by providing a full Thanksgiving dinner to five families who desperately deserve it. People are asked to nominate families through Facebook and then from there they will be chosen.

"I'm going to take all those names and put it on an auto-generator that randomly chooses people," he explained, "I'll say a blessing and pray before and you know let God choose who he thinks will be worthy and then those five that pop up will be the ones that we call."

During this hits close to his heart because Gonzalez knows what it is like not knowing where your next meal is coming from. He explained he grew up in a group home and was in the foster care system until his sister brought him to California when he was a teen.

"Throughout my years as an adult and as a kid I've done some stupid things and there are consequences based on those stupid things," Gonzalez admitted. "I know what it's like to be completely broke, not being able to pay my car ...not being able to pay my mortgage or rent or not having any food, mostly as a child. I come from a drug abusive family as a kid".

Now he runs his own business helping people reach their fitness goals.

He said with his business up and running he's able to give back to his community especially with the support from clients and his employees.

"That's what's awesome about our fitness family everyone wants to help," he mentioned.

Ralph Ortega, a trainer at the gym, agreed. "That's what it's about, giving back. You know we've been blessed with so much."

Gonzales added, "to be in a position to be able to do that it's just amazing, it's a blessing in itself".

This give away isn't the only way they are helping the less fortunate.

They are also collecting items to donate to the Fresno Rescue Mission.

Then on Thanksgiving morning the gym his hosting a workout class but instead of paying for it people are asked to can bring in non-perishable food items. Those items will be donated to the Poverello House.

If you know a family in need you can nominate them on Facebook by clicking here or you can email your nomination at Training@FGPerformance.com