Family Y to hold annual Health Kids Day Saturday
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on March 29, 2005 1:45 PM
The Goldsboro Family YMCA urges kids and families to "put play in your day" this weekend.
The 14th Annual Healthy Kids Day will be held Saturday at the Family Y. Senior Program Director Hal Warner said he expects to see hundreds of people attending the day-long festival Saturday.
Goldsboro Mayor Al King will lead the festivities, which begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m.
Activities will include land and water inflatables, face painting, magic tricks, clowns and live bands. Other activities will include skateboard exhibitions, swimming, identification kits and the Goldsboro Fire Department's Firehouse. Free snacks and drinks will also be provided.
Games with prizes will be geared for the parents to participate with their children and receive free Family Y brochures and health tips.
For one day only, the Family Y's joining fee will be reduced to $25. Registration for summer programs and swim lesions will also be available.
More than 1,000 YMCAs will be holding similar events this weekend.
Warner said that no other organization is in a better position than the YMCA to engage children and families in healthy physical activities. In 2003, he said, the Goldsboro Family Y provided $150,000 in scholarships to children and families for memberships, summer camp, child care and other things.
"With nine million U.S. children overweight, more than double the percentage in 1980, increasing levels of physical activity in the lives of our children is a critical component of this country's efforts to fight childhood obesity," Warner said. "Statistics say that in Wayne County alone, one in three children are considered overweight, and the Goldsboro Family YMCA is committed to helping these young people get healthier."
For information about Healthy Kids Day or about other programs offered at the Goldsboro Family Y, people may call Warner at 778-8557.