2015 Annual Youth Fun & Fitness Run

1st Annual Youth Fun & Fitness Run

The Inaugural 2015 Youth Fun & Fitness Run held at the MVCC outdoor track offered the youth of Oneida County a physical fitness component and an educational experience. Over 250 children and their families highlighted this inaugural event.

“The atmosphere was exciting,” Oneida County Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green said. “Zumba for Kids (Nancy and Pilar) got the kids going with a dynamic Zumba warm-up, the sun was shining, and the kids were exercising,” Green added.

Of the 250 youth in attendance 154 youth ages 4-13 participated in an age specific race around the MVCC outdoor track.

• 4-6 yr. olds = 66 runners
• 7-8 yr. olds = 31 runners
• 9-10 yr. olds = 39 runners
• 11-13 yr. olds = 18 runners

Director of the Oneida County Youth Bureau Kevin Green said; “We were pleased with the number of kids that participated. The goal of the Youth Fun & Fitness Run initiative is to educate kids about valuing their health, valuing life, and making good overall health choices.”

We would like to thank and recognize the following companies for donating the healthy snacks to the participants of the Youth Fun & Fitness Run:

• Chobani (Yogurt)
• Nirvana (Bottled Water)
• Sodexo (Apples and Oranges)
• Price Chopper (Snack Crackers, Apple Sauce, Fruit Cups, and Fruit Bars)

At the finish line the 154 runners received a ribbon of personal achievement for completing their respective races. In addition, all 250 youth in attendance received a drawstring bag that was filled by the educational presenters with healthy snacks and literature provided by the educational presenters.

Phyllis Ellis, Director of Oneida County Health Department said, “ We were happy to be part of an event to educate Oneida County’s youth about making healthy choices and learning to live a healthy lifestyle.”

To our sponsors; United Healthcare, Excellus, Fidelis, Emblem Health, Sodexo, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Nirvana, Price Chopper, Chobani, and MVCC. Whether monetary or in kind donation, your efforts to collaborate and educate was made loud and clear; thanks to your support and teamwork. The Oneida County Health Department and Oneida County Youth Bureau are grateful for what you provided to our youth.

To our educational presenters; Oneida County Health Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, United Healthcare, Oneida County Stop DWI, Emergency Services – 911, Food Bank, American Heart Association, and Zumba for Kids (Nancy and Pilar) we thank you for your commitment to the health and well-being of our youth in Oneida County.

A special thank you goes out to all the volunteers that assisted with the 2015 Youth Fun & Fitness Run. This event would not have been successful without the time, effort, and energy you all committed to our kids.

A special thank you goes out to Sergeant Christine W. Reilly from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant James Laurey from the Utica Police Department, and to the Mohawk Valley Police Academy recruits for volunteering to run side-by-side with the youth of Oneida County in the 2015 Youth Fun & Fitness Run.