Second Annual March into Health
March into Health 2013 Passport
All families in the Elgin area are invited to be part of history by participating in Elgin’s Largest Family Fitness Class, which will take place on March 1 at 6:00 PM in The Centre of Elgin. “On March 1 we hope to set a record for the largest group fitness class to ever take place in Elgin” said Randy Reopelle, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Elgin, “We welcome individuals and families of all fitness levels to come and be a part of what should be a very fun event.” The free fitness class will be followed by free use of The Centre’s fieldhouse and swimming pools for all that participate in the fitness class. Schedules for the remaining March into Health activities and the passports needed to enter the raffle will be given out after the Family Fitness Class.
Elgin’s Largest Family Fitness Class is the kick-off event for the second annual March into Health, a month long series of activities offered throughout the Elgin area that promote physical activity and healthy eating. “We are very concerned about the health of our residents” said Mayor David Kaptain, “and it has been proven that the best way to be healthy is through physical exercise and eating properly. I want to encourage all Elgin residents to participate in the March into Health activities so they can reap the rewards of good health”.
Presented by Activate Elgin, March into Health will feature sixteen different activities that residents can participate in during the month of March. These activities will be offered at sites throughout Elgin. Anyone that participates in three or more of the activities will qualify for a drawing featuring many great prizes with the grand prize being a Xbox Direct Connect.
Activate Elgin is an initiative to engage all sectors of the community to work in harmony providing all residents with opportunities to improve their health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Partners include Kane County Health Department, Northern Illinois University, Judson University, Gail Borden Public Library, School District U-46, Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Sherman Hospital, South Elgin Parks and Recreation, Elgin Parks and Recreation, Taylor Family YMCA, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Elgin Community College and Feeding Greater Elgin.
Activate Elgin is an initiative to engage all sectors of the community to work in harmony providing all residents with opportunities to improve their health, well-being, and overall quality of life. This challenging work requires collaboration by many organizations working toward the common goal of reducing obesity and improving health-related conditions in the Elgin area. The breadth of community partners demonstrates our commitment to change in local policies, systems, and environment (PSE) with representatives from parks and recreation, healthcare services, the health department, the library, school district, food banks, and university programs with links to local governing bodies.
Goals
- To advocate opportunities for physical activity and nutrition education in our community.
- To provide opportunities for physical activity that is convenient, affordable and accessible to all residents of our community.
- To encourage healthy eating through programs and education that takes into account the cultural diversity of our community.
- To partner and support other organizations to improve health and well-being.
- To encourage government officials at the local, county and state level for policy changes that support healthy living and lifestyles.
- To utilize measurement tools that collects and analyzes baseline data. Monitor trends and share the results with the community.
- To encourage, assist and support the development of a healthy and physically fit workforce.
Get involved
At Home…
- prepare your meals at home and freeze the leftovers. Home-cooked meals often contain much less fat, calories, and sodium than takeout.
- Eat more fruits and veggies! Experts recommend getting 5-9 servings per day. Not a fan? Try eating one or the other with each meal.
- Exercise. Start off slow by taking a walk around the block after dinner. Every little bit counts!
- Start a garden!
At Work…
- Start a lunchtime walking group. Organize your office staff to walk a 100 miles in 30 days.
- Push for healthier items in your vending machines, or request the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables in your cafeteria.
- Start a worksite wellness team. Distribute monthly newsletters and bring in experts to conduct “Lunch and Learn” sessions.
At School…
- Push for vending policies that eliminate sugary drinks and nutritionally-empty snacks
- Start a “Walking School Bus” program to get neighborhood kids walking or riding their bikes to school.
- Start a parent-teacher wellness group with interested parents, teachers, and staff. Or schedule a healthy cooking workshop as an extracurricular session for parents.
In the Community…
- Push for sidewalks, bicycle lanes and pedestrian-friendly intersections
- Start a community garden
- Volunteer for community events: 5k runs, walks, parades, etc.
We can provide lots of ideas and suggestions for you to try, or you can create your own. When you do, be sure to tell us about it because what you do counts! We would like to recognize you for the effort, because it’s possible that your effort can inspire others to do the same.
Key team members in the Activate Elgin coalition are: Kane County Health Department, Northern Illinois University, Judson University, Gail Borden Public Library, School District U-46, Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Sherman Hospital, South Elgin Parks and Recreation, Elgin Parks and Recreation, Taylor Family YMCA, Northern Illinois Food Bank and Feeding Greater Elgin.
For more information contact:
Silvia Ceja
sceja@elginymca.org
(630) 503-6571
Cathy Headley, PhD.
cheadley@judson.edu
(847) 628-1085
