On Saturday, April 27, the Tiftarea YMCA, Tift Regional Health System and various community partners will be holding the annual Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families.

This free community event is designed to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active.

“Healthy Kids Day is an opportunity to ignite children’s imaginations so that they can imagine what they’ll accomplish this summer,” said Richard Shoniker, health and wellness director for the Tiftarea YMCA. “The event features activities such BMI Screenings and blood pressure checks for every child, raffles, prizes, cycle obstacle courses, inflatables, to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home throughout the summer months.”

As an added attraction, Shoniker said Star Wars characters with the Georgia 501st Garrison will be available at Healthy Kids Day. Attendees will be able to interact and snap photos with characters such as Darth Vader, stormtroopers, TIE fighter pilots and others.

Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at more than 1,500 YMCA branches across the country by more than 1.2 million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long.

When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year.

“When a child is healthy, happy, and supported they can make great things happen,” said Shoniker. “We believe in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find that potential within themselves. A child’s development is never on vacation and Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in spirit, mind and body throughout the summer.”

The Tiftarea YMCA Healthy Kids Day takes place at the Tift Regional Community Events Center, which is connected to the Tiftarea YMCA. The address is 1657 Carpenter Road South. It will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as Snack Wars, Family Yoga, and much more.

Healthy Kids Day encourages youth and families to awaken summer imagination and this cannot be done without proper nutrition. On the national level, the Walmart Foundation is proud to sponsor Healthy Kids Day to raise awareness about the importance of food security and nutrition for youth and families.

Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Tift Regional Health System, Affinity Pediatrics, Ocilla Pediatrics, Tift County Board of Education, Tift County Commission on Children and Youth (TCCCY) and the Tift Area Greenway Association.