PERTH AMBOY– On Saturday, April 26, the RARITAN BAY AREA YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being. YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, aims to get more kids moving and learning, so they can keep up the habit all summer long – a critical out-of-school time for kids’ health. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year.

“One in three U.S. children is obese. This statistic, coupled with the fact that once summer hits, children will be more idle, demonstrates why it’s important to help families develop healthy habits now,” said Steve Jobin, President & CEO, RARITAN BAY AREA YMCA. “As part of the Y’s commitment to healthy living, through YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day our goal is to improve the health and well-being of kids and inspire habits they can continue into adulthood.”

In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits:

• High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings a day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend to maintain healthy childhood development.
• Foster an Early and Onging Passion for Books – Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development.
• Team Up for Athletic Events – Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs. Bike rides, etc.
• Volunteer Together – Find a cause that matters to the kids. Open their eyes to a world beyond themselves and the rich rewards that come from making a difference.
• Lead By Example – Be a good role model – kids can be influenced by seeing how hard their parents work at home or on the job, and how rewarding that experience is.

Healthy Kids Day takes place at The YMCA, 357 New Brunswick Avenue from 12pm to 3pm and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as active play and educational activities, Family Group Exercise Classes, Youth Sports, Elementary School & Special Olympics Swim Meets, and much more to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.

Invited Honored guests include Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz, the Perth Amboy City Council, members of the Perth Amboy Board of Education, Senator Joe Vitale, Assemblyman Craig Coughlin and John Wisniewski, Freeholder Director Ron Rios and the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Commissioner Mary O’Dowd – Department of Health & Senior Services and Commissioner Allison Blake – Department of Children and Families.

For more information, contact Steve Jobin, President & CEO at 732.442.3632 ext. 6501, sjobin@rbaymca.org or visit www.rbaymca.org.