By Donna Dass
The Somerset Valley YMCA is once again encouraging members of the community to join YMCA’s nationwide initiative in taking “small steps” to promote active living and healthy eating. As a kick-off to the week-long America on the Move campaign, the YMCA is offering the use of its facilities at no charge during the week of September 20 – 27, 2009, for non-fee based classes only, as well as the following FREE, fun, family events during the month of September:
Saturday, September 12th:
8:00 am – 11:00 am Somerville Family YMCA’s Family Morning
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Hillsborough Family YMCA’s Family Fun Day
Hillsborough Family YMCA’s Scavenger Hunt
Saturday September 19th:
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Bridgewater Family YMCA’s Family Fun Day
Saturday, September 27th:
8:30 am – 12:00 pm (walk begins at 10:00 am)
Our America on the Move Week ends with Central New Jersey Start! Heart Walk at DukeIslandPark in Bridgewater. The Hillsborough Family YMCA is teaming up with the Hillsborough Mayor’s Wellness Campaign and you’re invited to join us! To register for this event, please visit www.centralnjheartwalk.org. You may then choose to raise money for the American Heart Association or pay a donation to walk.
In addition, FREE pedometers will also be available mid-September (while supplies last). To get your FREE pedometer and America On the Move tracking form and Quick Start Guide, register your name and e-mail at the Member Service Desk of any of our branches. For more information on how to register go to www.ymcasomersetvalley.org.
During America On the Move Week with the YMCA, families and individuals are encouraged to be more active and eat healthier by making smarter food choices. “Steps” are awarded for actual steps taken during the week as well as equivalents for all other forms of physical activity, such as swimming, biking and dancing, and other group or family activities that promote well-being, such as eating together as a family. According to research by the America On the Move Foundation, making two small daily changes – taking 2,000 more steps and eating 100 fewer calories – can prevent the average annual weight gain of two pounds.
Through America on the Move Week with the YMCA, the Somerset Valley YMCA hopes to show anyone seeking a healthier lifestyle how making just small changes can get them on their way to wellness. America On the Move Week with the YMCA builds upon a national partnership between the YMCA and the America On the Move Foundation and aims to motivate and mobilize thousands of Americans to take small steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
America On the Move Week with the YMCA is a partnership between the YMCA and the America On the Move Foundation. America On the Move is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving health and quality of life by promoting healthy eating and active living for individuals, families, communities and society. PepsiCo is supporting this effort as a national supporter of YMCA Activate America and the National Presenting Partner of America On the Move Week with the YMCA.
If you’d like more information about America On the Move Week contact one of our Member Service Representatives in Bridgewater Family YMCA at (908) 526-0688, Hillsborough Family YMCA at (908) 369-0490 or Somerville Family YMCA at (908) 722-4567. At the Somerset Valley YMCA, we build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.
About the Somerset Valley YMCA: The Somerset Valley YMCA has been providing programs to the community for more than 130 years by promoting good health through fitness, health education and recreation. We are today, as we were then, leaders in developing and implementing programs to help people become more active, enjoy sports, learn skills, make friends and have fun. Three Somerset Valley YMCA branches offer fun and educational classes for adults and children to enjoy. More information is available at www.ymcasomersetvalley.org.
About American on the Move: America On the Move Foundation (AOM) is the leading non-profit organization fighting the obesity epidemic by providing consumer-focused solutions for individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Through its programs and outreach, AOM initiates and maintains meaningful and measurable individual, social, and environmental behavior changes that support healthy eating and active living habits in our society. AOM’s science-based programs provide the support and tools that help individuals of all ages manage weight effectively through energy balance. All programs are available at www.americaonthemove.org.
About PepsiCo: PepsiCo offers the world’s largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 18 different product lines that each generate more than $1 billion in annual retail sales. Our main businesses – Frito-Lay, Quaker, Pepsi-Cola, Tropicana and Gatorade – also make hundreds of other nourishing, tasty foods and drinks that bring joy to our consumers in over 200 countries. With more than $43 billion in 2008 revenues, PepsiCo employs 198,000 people who are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth, called Performance with Purpose. By dedicating ourselves to offering a broad array of choices for healthy, convenient and fun nourishment, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, PepsiCo balances strong financial returns with giving back to our communities worldwide. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.
