If you're a member of the Gleason Family YMCA, chances are you've run into Brent Rusinoski. Perhaps he's even assisted you with your fitness goals.

The Gleason Y's assistant wellness director, Rusinoski helps whip members into shape in his "boot camp" and strength-training classes and provides personal training to members, among other helpful services.

On October 16, however, Rusinoski will be helping out the Y in a very different way. And he's hoping the community will rally to help him out.

Rusinoski will be participating in the United States Powerlifting Federation's Region 1 and Massachusetts "Raw & Single Ply" state championship, which will be held at the Y.

What does that all mean? Well, organizers call it "a day of enormous proportions."

Weightlifters from across New England will bench, "deadlift" (lift from the floor to the hips), and squat amounts of weight that most people would never dream of moving with their own bodies.

"You get [to see] the true, raw power of people competing," said Shaun Robison, Massachusetts chairman of the United States Powerlifting Federation - and Rusinoski's coach.

Rusinoski, who has only been "power lifting" for seven months, plans to use the event to raise money for the Gleason Family YMCA's expansion. The Y is seeking to complete the last of a series of expansion projects. The latest will add new men's and women's locker rooms with saunas and a multipurpose room to the facility.

"I want to help out," Rusinoski said. "To be a person who contributes ... and help out the YMCA cause."

Rusinoski's goal is to bench 350 pounds, deadlift 600 pounds, and squat 500 pounds. And he has pledged to raise $300 while doing it.

Rusinoski will accept donations on the day of the event (and you get to watch him lift all that weight), or supporters can fill out pledge cards at the Gleason Family YMCA and indicate that the money is to be go towards "Brent's team."

"We're pleased about the support for the expansion from Y employees like Brent," said Jill Tompkins, YMCA Southcoast director of development. "They really have an important role in making the Y all it can be for our members."

Making the deal even sweeter, all donations Rusinoski raises will count towards the Y's effort to obtain the most out of its "challenge grant" offered by the Penzance Foundation. The Penzance Foundation will match all donations raised for the Y's expansion up to $400,000 until the end of the year.

The event itself will also raise money for the Y. All funds received from the $5 admission fee will be donated to the Gleason Family YMCA's scholarship fund, which provides financial assistance to people who are unable to pay for memberships and classes.

"The more people who show up to support our meet, at the same time they're supporting the Y," said Robison.

Robison, who himself has been lifting for 10 years, said the event will be a sight to see. A variety of ages will compete.

"You can have a 13-year-old girl up there doing her best and a 70-year-old guy up there doing his best," said Robison. "It's a great sport."

The championship will be held at 10 a.m. on October 16 at the Gleason Family YMCA, located at 33 Charge Pond Road.

For more information about the event and the federation, visit Facebook.com and search for "Mass USPF" or e-mail massuspf@gmail.com.