YMCA Promotes Environmental Awareness and Exercise

There has been overwhelming coverage on the recent increase in childhood obesity and serious environmental issues. Unfortunately, in our busy schedules, our health and surrounding environment are often overlooked. In order to draw awareness and action to these important issues, the Woodbridge YMCA promoted health, fitness, and love for the environment.

The tenth annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day was held at the Woodbridge Community Center, and had volunteers and community representatives from all over the township. Organizations that were present at the event include the US Sports Institute, Rising Up Garden Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Woodbridge Youth Leadership Council, Dr. Galkin and the Dentistry Team, Woodbridge Fire Department, and the Woodbridge Animal Shelter.

Allison Vitali, who has been a director for the Woodbridge YMCA for the past five years, stressed the importance of getting the whole family involved with the YMCA initiative. "We try to get families involved with the kids to learn about services available in their community and the YMCA," said Vitali. "Most of all, love for the environment and one's body can solve a lot of problems."

This year's goal is to encourage everyone to "be kind to the environment, stay active, and get outside," Vitali added.

The Woodbridge Youth Leadership Council, a volunteer organization that consists of all three high schools in the township, was present at the event. The organization's president is Lauren Drumm, and each high school has a representative. By attending meetings, members of the council can learn about volunteer opportunities throughout the township. At the event, the organization promoted healthy eating with a table loaded with hundreds of bananas and cheese. All 80 lbs. of bananas were donated by Wegman's to promote the importance of fruits and vegetables.

Lauren Drumm's mother, Nancy Drumm, is managing and marketing director of the Woodbridge YMCA. "This is a national YMCA event, it's an initiative to combat obesity and show that fitness is fun," she said.

Lt. Keith Repace of the Woodbridge Fire Dept. was handing out brochures and providing information about fire safety to everyone who stopped by their table. "We come to this event every year to promote fire safety and education to the entire community," said Repace. A favorite and popular item was the red fire department hat.

"We also give out hats and erasers shaped like fire hydrants - they're both big hits," laughed Repace.

Dr. Galkin and his dentistry team handed out free toothbrushes to promote dental hygiene and prevention, and Raritan Bay Medical Center brought in a real ambulance and parked it outside the Community Center. Kids were allowed to go inside of to see what the interior of an ambulance looked like.