Support Healthy Communities by Participating in Bike Week!
Did you know that May is National Bike Month? If not, now you do! (For more information on Bike Month, visit the League of American Bicyclists.) This year, Healthy Communities is celebrating Bike to Work Week (Monday, May 14th - Friday, May 18th) and Bike to Work Day (Friday, May 18th) by challenging the community of Henry County to get out and ride!! Do you think we can get 100+ people to ditch their cars for their bikes?! Whether you ride to and from work one day or every day during bike week - you can help support Healthy Communities' efforts. Here's How! 1. Ride your bike to work or school one or more days during Bike to Work Week - Monday, May 14th to Friday, May 18th. 2. Contact Healthy Communities via phone, email, our website or our Facebook page and let us know you rode! For each rider that reports to us during Bike Week, $5 will be donated to our organization by one of our loyal supporters! 3. You're done! You've taken steps toward improving your health AND supported Healthy Communities at the same time! Thanks! The FUN Playground - A Call to Action
“Maybe it was a bad idea to go to the park with all the big kids here…” These are the words of my friends’ kindergartener as he sulkily walked away from the Fun Playground on what was otherwise a beautiful, sunny spring day. Like many others that day, my friends had arrived at the FUN Playground with their little boy looking forward to some fun, quality family time. What they got instead was disappointing at best: an encounter with ‘big kids’ that left their little guy feeling unwelcome, intimidated and not wanting to stay at our community park for more than five minutes.
As a mother of two small boys, this story breaks my heart. I know the crushing feeling of seeing your child upset over the actions of others – feeling bullied, left out and less than welcomed. Unfortunately, this is not the first unpleasant incident reported in the last several weeks. It has become, instead, an all too familiar story of pre-teens and teenagers overrunning the area - which is specifically designed and designated as a play area for children under 12 – and using intimidation and vandalism as means to mark their territory. Perhaps this is the first you are hearing of what has been going on in our parks, more specifically the FUN Playground? If so, let me paint a picture for you. From mid-afternoon though the late evening hours there are teenagers and perhaps some adults ‘visiting’ the park, tagging our signs and equipment; knocking out fence boards and plexiglas windows in the slides; yanking down swings and hand bars; ripping out anchors from the tire swings; jumping on slides until they crack and bust; harassing women and small children; having sex; drinking; fighting. Think this is an over-dramatized description written as a ploy to get you to donate your money or time? I wish it were. No, this is the blunt, hard truth of what is facing our community. And it’s time we pull together to do something about it. While all communities face some degree of juvenile vandalism and mischievous activity, it is crucial that we, as a community body, do what we can to show that we have zero tolerance for such behavior. We need to take a stand and reclaim our parks and playgrounds for the young children of this community – to provide a safe, fun place where they can play and learn the value of community life and involvement. This is a call to action to all parents, teachers, government officials and community leaders: Stand with us in solidarity as we work toward building a healthier, safer community. Please don’t stop visiting the FUN Playground and other community parks because of this activity. Instead, politely ask any and all ‘kids’ over the age of 12 to leave the FUN Playground. Remind them that it is an area designated for small children. If they refuse to leave, please take the next step and call the New Castle police department so that they may attend to the issue. If you see that the playground is littered with trash, pick up a few pieces while you’re there. Toss them in the trashcans provided. If there is any significant damage, please contact the local officials or Healthy Communities to report what you’ve seen. Please know that we are not calling for nor will we support or promote vigilantes. Rather we are asking that you, as a member of and contributor to this community, take a stand for our young children – the ones who can’t stand up for themselves. They will be the ones who suffer the negative consequences of this kind of activity. They will be the ones who lose their right to live and play in safety and freedom. Keshia A. Atwood, Mommy & Executive Director of Healthy Communities of Henry County www.hchcin.org Are YOU 'In the Know'?
If you haven't read our March 2012 Newsletter yet, you should! Click HERE!! for the full pdf. Also, if you don't receive our newsletter via snail mail, please contact the Healthy Communities office so that we can get you on our list. After all, don't you want to be 'In the Know'?! Spring is here on the NRHT!Stay Safe and Healthy this Spring!
As spring approaches, take time to practice these health and safety tips from Porter Health -
1. Prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15 seconds.2. Travel safely. Wear your seat belt every time. Always buckle your child in the car using a safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt. 3. Keep a watchful eye on your children when they are outside playing - away from streets or other dangerous areas. 4. Ready to let the spring air in? Consider safety guards allowing your windows to only open to four inches, or better yet, open windows from the top. 5. Spring cleaning? It's also a good time to change the batteries on your home smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. 6. Always have at least one working fire extinguisher in your home. 7. Exercise. As temperatures rise, it's a great time to get some fresh air and work-out. Be sure to stretch and warm-up first. 8. If you are coping with loss, acknowledge the absence of a loved one and realize that you will feel sad at times. All wounds take time to heal. 9. Eat moderately, especially if you have known gallbladder disease. Overindulgence increases your risk for gallbladder rebellion. 10. Watch your salt intake. Patients with high blood pressure or history of congestive heart failure are particularly at risk of aggravating their condition with too much salt. 11. Too much alcohol can put you on the express track to the Emergency Department. Alcohol-related automobile deaths and injuries are the most common cause of unexpected tragedy. 12. Don't forget the elderly during the Spring. Try to involve elders and make them feel an important part of the family. 13. Avoid overeating. It can raise your cholesterol and weight, both of which can increase heart attack risk. 14. Know where to go for an Emergency. Healthy Communities and Economic Development
Mr. Bob Grewe, President and CEO of the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. recently spoke at the Healthy Communities annual board meeting, touting the work of Healthy Communities - particularly the recreational trails system development - as a great asset to Henry County. To view more of Mr. Grewe's presentation, please click here. To find out more about economic development in Henry County, please visit the NCHC EDC homepage! | RAFFLE!!
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