Gymnasts and volunteers united forces to raise over $45,000 for the Boston One Fund and dedicated their time to honor those impacted by the Boston Marathon Bombings at the Boston Strong Classic at Algonquin on January 3-5.

For the past two years the gymnastics team has helped organize the Kids Celebrate Life Classic (KCLC), which commemorates a judge from USA Gymnastics who passed away from breast cancer and raised money for cancer patients.

“For the past years we have run that meet and the proceeds from the meet went to benefit the American Cancer Society and the Children’s Miracle Network. Given the events in April…there was something kind of drawing us towards helping our own and doing something to benefit the One Fund,” varsity gymnastics coach Amelia Davis said.

The meet consisted of over 500 gymnasts who competed in various events and throughout the awards ceremonies three police officers and first responders from the Boston Marathon Bombings were honored.

“Kathy Ostberg (event coordinator) gave a speech in their honor and they received an award during the awards ceremony. That was pretty special. Them being there was a big deal,” senior captain Taryn Ryan said.

The impact of the officers’ presence left an everlasting mark on those who participated.

“It was so honorable to be able to meet these people and personally tell them thank you for what they did. It was so powerful to meet this man who after finishing the entire marathon turned around and ran back to the wreckage to help victims. It was a really powerful thing to meet someone who would risk their life like that to help others,” senior captain Kristen Michaud said.

Not only did the officers’ presence impact those in attendance, but it also brought a sense of reality to the cause.

“I think it made everything much more real. You are in the presence of true heroes. It is one thing to see that (bombings and arrest) on TV and be separated from it, and it is definitely another thing and much more inspiring to talk to someone who has experienced that… On that night they were working and risking their lives to keep us safe and I think that being able to talk to them, to recognize them, and to thank them was really special,” Davis said.

The Boston Strong Classic represented the community’s willingness to help support the victims and the first responders and officers of the Boston Marathon Bombing.

“I think it is a positive event for everybody involved. From the student athletes who volunteer, to the outside volunteers, to the parents who help out it is a community event and it is a positive impact,” Athletic Director Karrah Ellis said.

The money raised was donated to the Boston One Fund, which will continuously aim to help those affected by the bombings.

“The injuries that (victims) sustained are injuries that are going to affect them for years to come. Then I think that we also need to remember that the first responders, although they don’t have injuries on the outside, there are a lot of psychological injuries…that they can go through and they are going to need help as well,” Davis said.

The Algonquin gymnastics team along with Ostberg organized the event, which included several competitions, a meet and greet with gymnastic Olympian Aly Raisman, a visit with Wally from the Red Sox, and a ceremony to honor the first responders.

“I feel that the most important aspect of the Boston strong classic was the opportunity to be able to give around $45,000 to the One Fund. We got to give to an amazing organization for an amazing city,” senior captain Jordan McStay said.