Get healthy by taking part in 'Activate Butler County'

Year-long initiative seeks to provide guidelines for healthier lifestyles.

Samantha Grier/Staff photographer

ENLARGE PHOTO

By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 10:18 AM Thursday, February 18, 2010

HAMILTON — The Great Miami Valley YMCA organization and Lakota YMCA want Butler County to get healthy.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, the YMCAs will kick off Activate Butler County, a yearlong healthy living awareness program.

“It’s really centered around finding healthier ways to live,” said Great Miami Valley YMCA spokeswoman Linda Martin.

People are asked to register to participate at the event or online, Martin said.

By registering, people will be notified about health talks around the county, get access to healthy living tips and recipes and receive a weekly healthy living e-mail.

Registered participants will weigh in at the kickoff and do so weekly at one of six stations around the county. Those who register online will do their initial weigh in at one of the stations.

Several local health organizations are partnering with the YMCAs to offer free programs.

Activate Butler County is being unveiled just as first lady Michelle Obama has announced her efforts to battle obesity in children.

“What she talks about is partnering with local nonprofits,” Martin said. “It complements hand-in-hand exactly with what we’re trying to do.”

Activate Butler County is part of the Activate America campaign that started several years ago with 18 YMCAs around the country.

Mercy Hospital Fairfield spokesman Greg Ossmann said healthy living isn’t just about feeling better and reducing medical costs. It’s also about improving the community, he said.

“The more you can get people active —whether that’s walking, jogging or just moving — you’re going to have healthier communities,” Ossmann said.

Mercy Fairfield is one of several organizations that will have a break-out session at the Activate Butler County kickoff. So will Colonial Senior Services, which has two Hamilton retirement communities, a health and wellness center and a preschool and kindergarten facility.

“Butler County needs a shot in the arm to become revitalized from a health standpoint. An event like this can really stimulate that,” said David Mancuso, Colonial vice president of business development.

The kickoff will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Princeton Pike Church of God, 6101 Princeton-Glendale Road.

In addition to health officials, former Cincinnati Bengals Jim Breech and David Fulcher and Cincinnati Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek will speak at the event.

The details

Visit  www.activatebutlercountyohio .com or call (513) 887-0001.

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