Campaign Provides Education, Recreation, and Access to Reduce Childhood Obesity
ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC (August 12, 2014)—The Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative (RV-CHI) will kick off the “Get Fit, Stay Fit Roanoke Valley” campaign to promote healthy eating and active living among children, families and individuals in Halifax and Northampton Counties.
The “Get Fit, Stay Fit Roanoke Valley” campaign is a comprehensive, five-year effort to engage residents across the two counties through education, physical activity and recreation at local parks, in addition to improved access to healthy food and workplace wellness projects. The RV-CHI is holding a press event announcing details of “Get Fit, Stay Fit Roanoke Valley” Thursday, August 14, 2014 at Emry Park (9th and Cleveland Streets, Roanoke Rapids, NC) at 1:15 p.m.
“Get Fit, Stay Fit Roanoke Valley will empower children and adults by giving them programs, resources, and activities to adopt a healthy lifestyle, said Magda Baligh, Executive Director, Halifax - Warren Smart Start Partnership for Children, Inc. and member of the Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative Coordinating Council. Our goal is to make incremental strides to decrease the rate of child obesity in communities across the Roanoke Valley.”
“Get Fit, Stay Fit Roanoke Valley” is supported through a generous grant of $622,509 from The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. This investment is part of a larger infusion of more than $1.2 million in Halifax County to combat child obesity. The Trust has a long-term initiative, Healthy Places NC, to improve health and health care in rural, financially disadvantaged counties in North Carolina. The other portion of the $1.2 million was granted to the Halifax County Health System, working in partnership with Halifax County’s three school districts, to support the implementation of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) program in 15 area elementary and middle schools.
Who: The Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative
What: “Get Fit, Stay Fit Roanoke Valley
When: Thursday, August 14, 2014 Time: 1: 15 p.m.
Where: Emry Park (9th and Cleveland Streets) Roanoke Rapids, NC, 27870
By building partnerships across Halifax and Northampton Counties, including the health department, recreation departments, local hospital and schools, the RV-CHI is working to achieve a vision to empower children and families to adopt a healthier lifestyle and become of model community by improving health outcomes in the Roanoke Valley.
About The Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative
The goal of the Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative (RV-CHI) is to empower residents in the Roanoke Valley to adopt healthier lifestyles, access preventative services, and take positive actions to improve health in our communities. The vision of the Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative is that Roanoke Valley families and individuals are empowered to lead healthy lifestyles. The mission of the Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative is to promote healthy living through education, empowerment, and health access.
About The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust>/h2>
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust was established in 1947 and is now one of the largest private trusts in North Carolina. Its mission is to improve the quality of life and quality of health for the financially needy of North Carolina. The Health Care Division promotes wellness state-wide by investing in prevention and treatment. The Poor and Needy Division of the Trust responds to basic life needs and invests in solutions that improve the quality of life and health for financially needy residents of Forsyth County. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serves as sole trustee.