2016 Annual Youth Fun & Fitness Run

2nd Annual Youth Fun & Fitness Run

The 2016 Youth Fun & Fitness Run was completed on Wednesday August 6th at the MVCC Jorgensen Center.  The Youth Fun & Fitness Run once again offered the youth of Oneida County a physical fitness component and an educational experience.  Over 250 children and their families highlighted this annual 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 and the kids were very enthusiastic,” Green added.

Due to inclement weather this year we moved the race(s) to the indoor track in the MVCC Jorgensen Center. There were 121 children ages 4-13 that participated in their respective age specific race. 

• 4-6 yr. olds = 44 runners
• 7-8 yr. olds = 31 runners
• 9-10 yr. olds = 28 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.”

To our sponsors:

• Wal Mart
• Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
• Excellus
• Fidelis

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 for our youth. 

We would like to thank and recognize the following companies for donating healthy snacks and other related items to the participants of the 2016 Youth Fun & Fitness Run:

• MVCC Event Staff
• Rich Cohen (Achievement Ribbons)
• Utica School District (Boxed Lunches)
• Alder Creek (Bottled Water)
• Sodexo (Apples, Oranges and Bottled Water)
• Chanatry’s Hometown Market (Gift Card)
• Emblem Health (Tooth Brushes and Floss)

To our educational presenters:

• Oneida County Health Department
• Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
• Oneida County Stop DWI
• Emergency Services – 911
• Food Bank
• American Heart Association
• Zumba for Kids (Nancy and Pilar)
• Boys Scouts of America
• AMF
• Fidelis
• 211 Mid-York
• Utica Library

We thank you for your commitment to the health and well-being of Oneida County’s youth.

At the finish line the 121 total runners received a ribbon of personal achievement for completing their respective races.  In addition, all youth in attendance received a drawstring bag that was filled by our educational presenters with healthy snacks and literature pertaining to eating healthy and making good health choices.

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.”

A special thank you goes out to all the volunteers and coordinators that assisted with the 2016 Youth Fun & Fitness Run:

• Utica Comets (Audie the Mascot)
• Judy Ingalls
• Melanie Adams
• Rochelle Ferro
• Natale Schirripa
• New York Mills Student Council
• Salvation Army Utica

This event would not have been a success without the time, effort, and energy you all committed to our youth.

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 2016 Youth Fun & Fitness Run.