Healthier kids for a healthier tomorrow

Twentynine Palms -- The Armed Services YMCA volunteers hosted their first Healthy Kids Day at Felix Field April 30, 2016. The ASYMCA held the event to encourage healthy living by showing children fun ways to be active, express themselves and learn about healthy food alternatives.

“We are showing them that living healthy is easy,” said Yeseida Reyes, special event’s coordinator, Armed Services YMCA. “We want the children to show their families, peers or even their neighbors that healthy living is something everyone can accomplish.”

Marines from 1st Tank Battalion, Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School and members of the Combat Center Fire Department volunteered at various stations. Each location featured different healthy living themes to include: sports, writing and drawing, healthy food choices and gardening.

“A healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things a person can have,” said Lance Cpl. Kevin Gray, student, MCCES. “These kids can learn it now and carry it throughout their whole lives.”
Many parents who attended the event said it was important for their children to understand the benefits of being healthy while enjoying themselves.

“Educating the children will make them more healthy and active as adults,” said Tyler Fitch, mother attending the Healthy Kids Day. “If you can start one generation with a healthy lifestyle, it will only follow to the next generations if they maintain these important lessons.”