By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
About 162 people participated in the South Brunswick Family YMCA’s 10th Annual Healthy Kid’s Day Saturday at the facility on Culver Road.
”(The event) encourages parents to engage in healthy activities with their kids,” Ronnie Banks said.Organizations, such as the Boys Scouts, and the American Red Cross joined businesses, such as Weight Watchers, and the Brushill Nursery, with table displays where they gave out samples to attendees, put on demonstrations, and also handed out items such as toys, bags, and pens.
During the event, children ran around, some playing soccer and basketball inside the facility.
Participants could also have their blood pressure taken, and have their cholesterol and blood sugar measured before going to a table where they were consulted on improving the scores and what the test results meant.
There was also a place for parents to have their baby seats checked to make sure they were safe.
Members of the Monmouth Junction first aid squad showed attendees the ambulances and the equipment the squad uses on calls.
Newtown, Pennsylvania resident Derrick Johnson, 33, attended the event with his children, 21-month year old Hunter and 4-year-old Mackenzie.
His wife, Michele, works at the YMCA, he said.
”My kids are having a lot of fun,” he said. “(They) seem to be really engaged.”
Mr. Johnson said he is a minister at the Zion Baptist Church in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and that the church intends to have a similar event there.
Dayton resident Anushree Sikthi, 15, volunteered at the event by helping run the egg in cup game and said she has volunteered every Saturday since September or October.
”It’s fun hanging out with kids,” she said.
Plainsboro resident Lina Morton, 28, attended the event with her daughter Nyla, 3.
Ms. Morton said that they are members of the YMCA and decided to come to the event after hearing about it.
”It’s for the kids in the community to have something to go to on the weekends,” Ms. Morton said.
In an email after the event, Mr. Banks said the point of the event was to encourage children to become more active and sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
”At the South Brunswick Family YMCA, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids’ daily routine,” Mr. Banks said in a statement. “Doing so doesn’t have to require extra money or resources. It’s as simple as making a play date with your kids, with two key requirements – be active and have fun!”
The YMCA is an almost 160 year old not for profit national organization that focuses on promoting community and the development of the potential of children, according the organization’s website.

