BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
KATHY CHANG New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey’s chief of staff, Peter Cammarano, and Sen. Barbara Buono listen as board President Ronald Grayzel speaks to an audience of YMCA members, students and faculty at the press conference at Metuchen High School. Cammarano and Buono announced a $250,000 grant to the YMCA and the board for the wellness center. METUCHEN — Members of the Metuchen-Edison YMCA and the Board of Education received just what they needed for the state-of-the-art wellness center at township high school.
State Sen. Barbara Buono and acting Gov. Richard J. Codey’s chief of staff, Peter Cammarano, presented the YMCA and the board with a grant for $250,000 at a press conference here Friday.
“This is big, this is all of the fundraising in one shot,” said Lorraine Mulligan, who works in business development at the Metuchen Savings Bank.
Buono spoke of new beginnings this time of year and said it was fitting to present the grant to the YMCA and the high school.
“The wellness center is a testament to the vision and innovative spirit of the people involved,” said Buono.
She reminded the audience of the critical rise in childhood obesity that has become a public health issue.
“We all know that individuals who become obese at a young age are more likely to stay obese throughout their lives, along with the associated health problems,” said Buono.
“A recent government report concluded that half of Americans age 55 to 64 have high blood pressure, are obese and are in worse shape than those born a decade earlier,” she said.
Buono hopes that the wellness center will serve as a model for similar partnerships across the state.
The Metuchen Savings Bank kicked off the fundraising efforts with $25,000 two weeks ago.
The wellness center is slated to open at Metuchen High School next fall.
“I look forward to coming back here for a happy fruitful dedication,” said Board of Education President Ronald Grayzel.