Giving Back

At Old Town Gymnastics Academy (OTGA), we believe in giving back to the community that supports us. Throughout the year, OTGA proudly participates in and sponsors a variety of community service projects.

Some causes are especially near and dear to Coach Alex and Coach Tuti, who personally give their time, talents, and resources to help raise awareness and funds for organizations and individuals making a difference in our community.

This page shares several of these efforts:

The aftermath of hurricane helene

In 2025, after the hurricane devastated Western North Carolina, the OTGA family stepped up to help. Chris Nelson, Coach Alex’s brother and a commissioner in Ronda, and his wife, Barbara, were instrumental in collecting food, clothing and essential supplies for families in the Banner Elk area. Chris made several trips to deliver those donations directly to hurricane victims. Coach Alex also joined the relief effort, sleeping in his truck alongside other military guys while helping search for survivors. Amid the mud and destruction, they found a badly injured Plott Hound whose leg ultimately had to be amputated. They named her Banner. When no rescue organization could take her, she became part of the family. Today, Banner is a much-loved reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to help—both people and pets—in their greatest time of need.

JOIN OUR FOUNDING PARTNER PROGRAM!

Twelve months of your business in front of thousands of local families.

Five levels of support starting at $250. We have never had sponsors before.
This year sponsors are Founding Partners.

East bend park and pool

Old Town Gymnastics Academy (OTGA) is proud to support the East Bend Park and Pool, a special gathering place where local families can connect, play and make memories.

Coach Alex served for several years as President of the Pool, giving his time and talents to help improve and preserve this important community resource. He was instrumental in building the pool’s gazebo and has pitched in on numerous repairs and improvement projects over the years.

Coach Tuti continues that commitment today, serving on the board as Secretary and helping ensure the park and pool remain a vibrant part of the East Bend community for generations to come.

For Coach Alex, Coach Tuti and the OTGA family, supporting our community means more than giving back—it means rolling up our sleeves and getting involved.

Come out and join us!

Together we make an impact.
Real support goes to your school’s pta:

ENROLL YOUR CHILD – in Gymnastics, Tumbling or Ninja Kidz at Old Town Gymnastics Academy

THEY STAY ACTIVE – Each month they remain enrolled, they continue to make an impact.

WE GIVE BACK – OTGA contributes $2 per child every month they remain enrolled.

OTGA would love to attend your Open House or Special Events to share information about our programs and what we have to offer.

Please contact the gym for availability.

Veterans Cup

As a retired Command Sergeant Major with the Army with 33 years of service, Coach Alex has been involved with the Veterans Cup for several years. The Veterans Cup meet ups build peer-to-peer support networks and meet on various days and locations throughout the state. The coffees build camaraderie and provide information vital to veterans and their families. The main goal of the coffees is to specifically battle veteran suicide.

Old Town Gymnastics Academy (OTGA) is a proud sponsor of these coffees. Veterans Cup is a 501c3 organization. Trivia Night is their primary fundraiser and one in which Coach Alex holds dear to his heart!

Veterans Day Parade: Coach Alex is the coordinator for this event held in downtown Winston-Salem and is a way to honor our veterans for their service, patriotism and sacrifice for our country. For our living veterans, such as Coach Alex, it is a time to show appreciation and honor their contributions to our country and to acknowledge the challenges they may face returning from service. OTGA is proud to participate in this event and show our support for our veterans and especially our very own veteran, Coach Alex!
Trivia Night One of Veterans Cups biggest fundraisers. This event is organized and emceed by our very own Coach Alex. Past fundraisers have reached their goals of more than $40,000. OTGA is a proud participant and sponsor of this event!

Toys for Tots Year-Round Drop Off Location

Old Town Gymnastics Academy (OTGA) is an official year-round donation location for Toys for Tots!

In the year leading up to May 31, 2026, Toys for Tots had collected 34,787 toys for over 12,331 children in the Winston-Salem area. That’s a lot of Christmas Cheer!

Holiday Closures

Old Town Gymnastics Academy will be closed the following dates:

Thanksgiving Holiday November 25-29, 2026
Christmas Holiday December 23-31, 2026
New Years Day January 1, 2027
Spring Break / Easter March 26-29, 2026
Memorial Day May 31, 2027
Independence Day July 2-4, 2027
Labor Day September 6, 2027

Showcase events

Old Town Gymnastics Academy, now with a recent addition of bleachers for more spectator seating, will be able to offer “Showcase” events for our various groups:

Gymnastics Competition Team — Showcase offers the opportunity to show competition routines to kick off their competition season (get the jitters out) and for the more advanced gymnasts to perform routines of their own choreography, not only for fun, but to develop their choreography skills!
Cheer Competition Team — Showcase offers the Cheer team the opportunity to perform their group routines in front of a crowd for response, pre-season critique and to also get the jitters out!
Non-Competition Gymnasts — Showcase will give these gymnasts a chance to show family and friends what they have been working on in class in a gymnastics competition format. For some gymnasts, this could be the beginning of joining our competition team!

These events will require time on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon and a nominal fee to cover additional costs: special theme t-shirt, additional staff time and any recognition awards.

Fall Fundraisers

Fall not only brings the madness and mayhem of Halloween, but also our annual fundraisers:

Annual Leotard Sale – Every year at OTGA, we offer the opportunity to clean out your leotard closet. Bring yours to sell, buy new to you leotards and update your gymnastic wardrobe for great pricing. This fall sale is part of our fall fundraising event in which all proceeds go to benefit the gym for equipment repairs/new equipment/or something needed for the gym. Keep an eye out for when these sales are posted in the lobby, on our
Mrs Pumpkins Sale
Annual Pumpkin Palozza

These fundraisers help the gym with repairs, purchasing of new equipment and small improvements that will benefit our children!

These events are usually scheduled in the month of October. Check out our facebook page for exact dates and times..

Other opportunities

FACILITY DONATION: For several years Old Town Gymnastics Academy has donated the use of our facility and our cheer coaches time to Omega Cheer Group “Tigers” which is a special abilities group we are honored to support.

COAT & CANNED FOOD DRIVES: OTGA over the years has collected coats for children in need and canned food for the local food banks.