Healthy Kids Day held at Blair

The 14th annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day was held at Blair on April 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the SAC. The free event featured different organizations promoting different aspects of health to the community, including the importance of exercise, diet, safety and hygiene.

"Have you ever considered fostering a child?" asked Cheryl Banks of the Montgomery County Child Protective Services (CPS) Program. "No, but we want to adopt!" responded an eager youngster, whose father requested information.

Along with the county CPS program, attendees of the health expo could visit vendors run by Aspen Hill Implant and Family Dentistry, the Montgomery County Recreation Department, Mamsi United HealthCare, Holy Cross Hospital, the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Whole Foods, Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital, Fire and Rescue Station 16 and the Long Branch Athletic Association, among others.

Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), one of the most popular vendors at Healthy Kids Day, was unable to attend this year. In previous years, SADD has set up a course and allowed students to travel through it with "fatal vision glasses" to simulate the effects of substance abuse.

Children and their families also enjoyed free refreshments, health screenings, a DJ, games and activities, arts and crafts and access to a moon bounce and basketball hoops once they collected seven stamps from different vendors.

As many as 300 to 400 people have attended Healthy Kids Day in past years, according to Lisa Bradley, Grants Manager for YMCA Youth and Family Services. "We're trying to promote healthy living to kids and their parents," she said. "We have activities here for the whole family."

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is part of YMCA "Activate America," a national initiative focused on developing community solutions to help Americans improve their health and wellness, with a focus on child obesity this year, according to a press release by the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. Over 1,250 YMCAs are participating in Healthy Kids Day nationwide, according to the press release.