Photo submitted by Gregg Ellenberg.
A day of fun, food and activities had arrived to all YMCAs across the country including Malden’s very own YMCA on Dartmouth Street. This event is called the Healthy Kids Day.
According to the Y’s press release, Healthy Kids Day is “the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families Sponsored by the Howard Johnsons, by Wyndham hotel brand.”
Healthy Kids Day is an annual event that has been celebrated in over 1,500 YMCAs with millions of participants in America. It “works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long.” It’s also an opportunity to “ignite children’s imagination so that they can imagine what they’ll accomplish this summer.”
The event took place on April 20, 2019 from 11 am to 2 pm with activities such as “a family dance party, family yoga, swimming, toddler zone with live sing-a-long music, crafts, magician, bubble show, digital music studio and robotics, track games, basketball challenge, bounce houses, gaga ball, speed pitch, inflatable archery and a book fair” with special appearances from a princess, Batman, Spider-man and even Black Panther!
“I estimated that we had over 1,500 people attend. We usually have over 1,000 attendees every year,” stated Gregg Ellenberg, Director of Community Development at the Malden YMCA.
The event was sponsored by many companies such as Century Bank, Tufts Health Plan, and even Wegmans and Family fun time Sponsors. Additionally, the event had free dental screenings that were provided by Magnolia Dental and Dr. Yee Yan Chen with dental supplies provided by Henry Schein Dental. Free eye screening was provided by the Mission of District 33K Lions Eyemobile, Inc. and Dr. Deborah Wayne.
Along with free vision and dental screenings, attendees can also get free, prepacked bags to take home since the Y’s food pantry was open. The prepacked bags were sponsored by Tufts Health Plan. Smoothies and snacks were provided by Wegmans and pizza were provided by, Malden’s very own, Pisa Pizza.
The Malden YMCA is located on 99 Dartmouth Street, with many afterschool and summer programs for children of all ages.
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