GREENFIELD — Families can explore resources and activities to help their children stay physically and mentally healthy during the annual Healthy Kids Day at Franklin County’s YMCA on Saturday, April 18.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Y will host a free resource fair with dozens of local organizations and vendors as well as free activities and entertainment, including performances by the Y’s Tumbling Tigers gymnastics team, the Bernardston Recreation Department cheerleaders and DJ Lazer Chicken.
Wesley Jackson, CEO of Franklin County’s YMCA, said the event, part of a national initiative, offers children a fun Saturday morning, and gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to learn about activities to keep their kids engaged during the summer.
“It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” Jackson said in a statement. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources for families to create healthy habits, no matter the time of year. We are excited to share what the Y has to offer while also showcasing the incredible local businesses and organizations joining us for this fun day.”
Children can get free bicycle, BMX or skateboard helmets and have them fitted by members of the Greenfield Kiwanis Club, and the Rolling Wave Foundation will be giving away bikes to the first 90 kids registered.
Kiwanis Club President Dan Gagaris noted that helmets can actually expire after three to five years, depending on how they are stored, and having a properly fitted helmet is essential to ensure rider safety.
“If they’re not properly fitted, you can risk traumatic brain injury,” Gagaris said. “A helmet that is too big can shift and not provide adequate protection.”
Helmets come in different styles and sizes, and chin straps need to be adjusted to ensure the helmet stays in place. He added that helmets that are left in the sun do not last as long as helmets that are stored in shade, and any helmet with a crack in it should be immediately replaced.
Gagaris said the 22 members of the Kiwanis Club have been working with the YMCA for years, and Healthy Kids Day gives them an opportunity to share how to properly care for and fit helmets. The club has more than 100 helmets to give out, but Gagaris said helmets must be fitted to the person who will be wearing them, and attendees cannot pick up helmets for people who are not present at the event.
“We’ve never run out,” Gagaris said. “We’ve got plenty of helmets.”
He added that people can also bring their current helmets, and Kiwanis Club members can take a look at them to make sure they are the correct size and properly fitted.
Other businesses and organizations sharing information include Stone Soup Cafe, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts, Cub Scouts Pack 3, the Garden Cinemas, the Salasin Project and Parental Pathways.
Melissa Vega, CEO and co-founder of Parental Pathways, said the nonprofit was founded in January of this year as a way to support parents through co-parenting situations, particularly those who may not be eligible for resources through other programs or organizations, such as single fathers or parents who do not have primary custody.
“The one consistent thing out there is there’s a lot of support for single mothers, but there’s not always support when both parents are involved,” Vega said. “They might not qualify because they only have the kids 50% of time. … We know personally the system can fail.”
Parental Pathways offers financial support for legal fees, day care costs, and furthering education and career development, as well as co-parenting resources, communication tools and emotional support. The nonprofit has also launched a podcast, sharing stories and offering advice.
“We want to make sure parents know that they’re not alone,” Vega said. “Every parent deserves access to support. When a parent has support, they can strive to be better for their kids.”
Since the nonprofit was recently launched, Vega noted it has limited resources and currently has the capacity to assist about 10 families. Parental Pathways is looking to grow while building partnerships with other organizations.
Vega added that the event will be a chance for kids to have fun as well. Parental Pathways will be giving out goodie bags. In addition, Franklin County’s YMCA will give out swag bags to the first 100 kids in attendance, and kids can say hello to mascots Boomer of the Springfield Thunderbirds, Paws of the Valley Blue Sox and Beatrice the Bee from Greenfield Community College. Frank, the Greenfield Police Department’s comfort dog, will also make an appearance. WHAI/Bear Country will be broadcasting and offering a giveaway.
“It’s something that’s fun that parents can bring their kids to and find some resources as well,” Vega said.
There will also be face painting, balloon art, hula hooping with Alotta Hoopla, Gaga ball, and a snow cone and cotton candy sale to support the Y’s gymnastics team. The Greenfield Fire Department, All States Materials Group and Bikers Against Child Abuse will be on site with vehicles for children to explore, including large trucks and motorcycles.
For more information about Healthy Kids Day, visit your-y.org/hkd.
