By Donna Dass
On Saturday, April 17th from 10am – 1pm, the Somerset Valley YMCA’s three branches invited families in the SomersetCounty community to enjoy healthy Kids Day, a fun, free family event that promotes wellness and healthy living. All were also invited to participate in the Camp and Child Care Open Houses. An estimated 500 people attended among the three branches.
The Bridgewater Family YMCA supplied healthy snacks for all, open swim time, Frisbee golf, arts and crafts and an archery demonstration. Always a popular draw, Elizabeth and Rebecca Dry created their special balloons animals to the delight of the children and their families.
The Hillsborough Family YMCA was happy to have a large community presence at Healthy Kids Day. Team Hope Speech and Occupational Therapy Center, Community Child Care Solutions and the Hillsborough Health Department, lead by the Visiting Nurses Association’s HINI Vaccination Clinic were among the community partners who participated in the event. Hillsborough Mayor, Frank Delcore stopped by to shoot hoops with the children and Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1’s fire truck provided ‘fun on wheels’. Family activities included fitness challenges, face painting, a healthy breakfast station of waffles and berries and program demos.
The Somerville Family YMCA celebration began with a proclamation by Somerville Mayor, Brian Gallagher. Children were then invited to make individual pizzas with healthy toppings provided by Alfonso’s. There were dance and gymnastics classes and a family rock band competition on the Wii. Families used fire hoses and a giant stream of water to shoot a massive beach ball down the street with the Somerville Fire Department. As a community partner, the YMCA was happy to have volunteers from the Somerville Police Department who made child I.D. badges for all the children.
Dr. Martin, a local dentist, made dental health fun, and NJ Family Care answered health questions for parents and children. PNC Bank distributed free first aid kits and the Bound Brook Veterinary Clinic spoke with children about safety with pets.
As a nationwide program, Healthy Kids Day was celebrated at more than 1,700 YMCAs across the United States. YMCA Healthy Kids Day is part of YMCA Activate America, a national initiative designed to help children and adults discover and sustain healthier ways to live. YMCA Healthy Kids Day exemplifies Activate America, the YMCA’s response to our nation’s growing health crisis.
The Somerset Valley YMCA is dedicated to helping children develop into healthy, strong adults and YMCA Healthy Kids Day is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on how important and fun physical activity is for the whole family. For more information about the Somerset Valley YMCA, go to www.ymcasomersetvalley.org .
