Healthy Families Day 2008 A Big Hit

Today a partnership of community entities including the School District of Escambia County, The Escambia County Health Department, and The Escambia Physical Education Association put on the "Healthy Families Day" downtown in Seville Square. The event was a smash hit, with hundreds of attendees from around the community. We were very fortunate to have a chamber of commerce weather day, and plenty of activities and events for all that chose to participate. The main event with maximum participation was the walk for wellness, with nearly everyone in attendance participating in a walk around the historic downtown area. Booths were set up around Seville Square, with all sorts of health-centered information available for participants to see. One especially interesting booth that I took note of was a simple display listing the benefits of eating together as a family. The facts listed in this particular display cited lower use of tobacco, alcohol, and/or illicit drugs among teens who sit down to eat dinner with their whole family at least twice weekly. Another interesting booth had seeing eye "puppies in training" for the children to see and pet. Other booths had games for the children to play, a place for the children to create and then decorate their own sun visors, inflatable jumper games, and numerous other fun activities for all to enjoy. School Board members Patty Hightower and Claudia Brown-Curry were on hand to read children's books to youngsters, and a large number of these children's books were distributed to children for free, on a first come, first serve basis. This event was a great way to spend the morning with families and friends, and hopefully next year's event will be even bigger and better. Thanks to all of our fantastic community supporters that sponsored this event; Healthy Families Day 2008 was a resounding success.