Iron Legion Lifters Raise Funds for Make-A-Wish Maine

Nearly 80 lifters competed in the ninth annual Operation Change deadlifting event to benefit Make-A-Wish Maine.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Philanthropy

Iron Legion Lifters Raise Funds for Make-A-Wish Maine

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Iron Legion hosted the 9th annual Operation Change deadlifting competition on a Saturday to benefit Make-A-Wish Maine. Nearly 80 lifters set a fundraising goal of $100,000, enough to fund ten wishes for Maine kids.

Why it matters

The event shows how a local gym-based competition can channel community fundraising toward wish-granting for children in Maine. Its growth from about 20 lifters and just over $2,000 raised in its first year reflects sustained local participation.

The goal of $100,000 is set against roughly 80 participating lifters, up from around 20 at the first event nearly a decade ago, when just over $2,000 was raised. The extraction does not report the final total, so it remains unclear whether the goal was met.

The players

Iron Legion

Iron Legion is a gym with locations in Westbrook and Scarborough that hosted the Operation Change competition.

Make-A-Wish Maine

Make-A-Wish Maine is the state chapter of the national nonprofit that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses.

The details

Lifters trained for months to lift as much as they could on the morning of the event while raising funds for Make-A-Wish Maine. Before the event started, the group was a few thousand dollars away from the $100,000 goal, according to the report.

Nearly a decade ago: the competition began in the gym with around 20 lifters.
November 14, 2026: the 9th annual Operation Change competition was held on a Saturday.

Market Landscape

Operation Change functions as a grassroots fundraising channel for Make-A-Wish Maine, which relies on events like this to fund wishes for children across the state. Its nine-year growth from roughly 20 lifters to nearly 80 shows how community fitness events can scale into meaningful philanthropic support.

Readers interested in supporting the cause can look for future Iron Legion fundraising events or contribute directly to Make-A-Wish Maine. The extraction does not specify any upcoming dates or donation channels.

The takeaway

Community fitness events can turn individual effort into concrete support for children's wishes, and small gym-based groups can scale over time. Supporting local charity competitions is one practical way for residents to back causes in their own state.