Kids make healthy choices at the Y

Jaime Rebhan
Apr 28, 2012
Keith Baker, 6, of Wareham, celebrates after a Healthy Kids Day Big Wheel race around the Gleason Family YMCA's indoor track. BY JAIME REBHAN
Gleason Family YMCA Wellness Director Lu Brito said his favorite healthy activity is playing with his kids, "something that incorporates a healthy lifestyle and gets the family involved." BY JAIME REBHAN
Eight-year-old Keawe Judd's favorite healthy activity: "[To] ride my skateboard." BY JAIME REBHAN
Emma Sylvia, 4, said her favorite healthy activity is swimming. BY JAIME REBHAN
Robert Sylvia, 6, said he likes to walk and swim. BY JAIME REBHAN
Mattapoisett resident Lily Pennock, 7, said gymnastics is among her favorite healthy activities. She also likes to "go on a hike" and to "do the garden," where she plants flowers, basil, and spinach. BY JAIME REBHAN
Ten-year-old Violette Pennock of Mattapoisett said her favorite healthy activities are swimming and "cooking class," where she learns how to make healthy meals and gets to try new things. BY JAIME REBHAN

From jumping in the bouncy house to Big Wheel racing to rock climbing and family yoga, children and their families had a myriad of healthy activities to choose from at the Gleason Family YMCA's annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 28.

"It brings the community together and it emphasizes the whole healthy lifestyle," Lu Brito, Gleason Y Wellness Director, said of the event.

Healthy Kids Day also featured demonstrations with K-9 members of the Plymouth County Sheriff's office, sing-alongs, a book fair, and more.

Hiller Chrysler Dodge hosted a test-drive fundraising event to help the Y keep the healthy momentum going throughout the year.

For every visitor who drove a Dodge around the YMCA parking lot, the Y received $20. The money will help the Gleason Family YMCA provide scholarships to families who need assistance in paying for memberships and classes.

The event brought in $1,700 through 85 test drives — and, Gleason Y Marketing and Development Director Jo-Ann Watson said,  Hiller got a few interested customers!

Healthy Kids Day attendees told Wareham Week about their favorite healthy activities. Read what they had to say in the first photo gallery.

Tell us about your favorite healthy activities in the comment section below and we'll run some of the responses in the paper!

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