YMCA reaches out to kids, older adults

Published 10:18 pm Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Suffolk Family YMCA is hosting two special days in coming weeks designed to get children and older adults up and active.

Healthy Kids Day on April 28 will include activities with a focus on fun, said the YMCA’s property director, Lorraine Worrell.

Jack Stoughton gets some exercise on the treadmill at the Suffolk Family YMCA.

“It’s really to try to get the children in the community active,” she said. “It’s one of the ways to really try to build families as well as help combat the obesity in our community.”

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Line dancing, jump rope, pool games and Zumbatomic are among the activities planned. There also is a biathlon that requires pre-registration.

Health and Wellness Director Anna Guibas said the Y is focused on fighting obesity in children of all ages, including through a partnership with the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters to create children’s programs geared towards movement.

Active Older Adults Day, on May 30, is hoped to include at least 20 vendors, Worrell said.

She listed free blood pressure screenings, jewelry vendors, Scentsy candles and clothing stores among those currently locked in.

A chiropractor and masseuse are also hoped to be included, Worrell said, as well as a lawyer to offer advice.

“We’ve asked Nansemond River Golf Course to be there to talk to them about getting out more — it’s all about really trying to keep them active and social, and really making it fun as well,” she said.

The event will have a social atmosphere, and a photographer will be on hand taking pictures, she added.

“We’ve done it about four years in a row,” she said. “It’s open to the community as we’re really hoping to present the YMCA to the seniors in our community so we can be partners with them.”

Carol Vieira, 65, who was working out at the Y Tuesday, has made exercise a part of her routine, she said.

“It’s to be healthy, so I don’t get osteoarthritis,” she said. “It will keep me young.”

She said she works out at least three times a week.

Jack Stoughton, 67, said regular exercise is essential. “I definitely feel better when I’m working out,” he said.

Both events are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parents wishing to register children for the biathlon can call 934-9622.