News & Events
The YMCA of Strafford County’s Healthy Kids Day® on April 27 Aims to Help Kids Exercise Minds and Bodies
On Saturday, April 27, the YMCA of Strafford County is celebrating Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event that encourages kids in the Strafford County community to get moving and learning,
and families living healthier. Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.
Many US children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, and daily amounts of healthy foods. According to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.
“At the YMCA of Strafford County, we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said Erika Weidner, Branch Director, YMCA of Strafford County. “Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future.”
Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. On April 27, YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.
The YMCA of Strafford County’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at their 35 Industrial Way branch location in Rochester from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as sample fitness classes, martial arts, minute to win it contests, touch a truck with local police and fire department, healthy snacks, arts & crafts, and more!
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and is supported by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.
FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK SUPPORTS THE YMCA OF STRAFFORD COUNTY
[ROCHESTER, NH] – Federal Savings Bank President and CEO, James J. O'Neill, Jr., is pleased to announce the Bank's pledge of $100,000 to support the YMCA of Strafford County's capital campaign for a new 27,500 square foot facility located at 35 Industrial Way in Rochester. The YMCA was awarded Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) tax credits for its new facility. The tax credit program enables businesses to invest in economic or community development projects in exchange for a state tax credit worth 75% of the donation.
For almost 160 years, the YMCA of Greater Manchester, with branches in Manchester, Goffstown, Londonderry, Portsmouth and Rochester, has focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the country, Ys engage 21 million men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The goal of the YMCA project in Rochester is to provide programs and services for all families by implementing a sliding fee scale based on household income. The organization is expecting to provide 40 percent of its members with financial aid at the new Rochester facility.
"Federal Savings Bank is proud to contribute to this worthy project that will undoubtedly make a difference for Strafford County residents," said O'Neill. "FSB has pledged its allegiance to support local businesses and non-profits that make the greater Seacoast area a better place to live and work. We are proud to have this opportunity to give back to our wonderful community," he added.
Federal Savings Bank Dover/Rochester Branch Manager, Mary Henderson, serves on the YMCA of Strafford County's Board of Directors. "The services offered by the YMCA are so important to the residents of Strafford County and this new facility will provide for additional and enganced programs and services, particularly in the area of childcare and youth development. I'm proud to have Federal Savings Bank play such a major role in the completion of this great community project," she noted.
The YMCA of Strafford County is now open at 35 Industrial Way, just off Exit 14 of the Spaulding Turnpike. For more information, visit
www.yogm.org or call 603.332.7334.
Since 1890, Federal Savings Bank has operated as a true community bank, a "mutual" bank. The bank has offices in Dover, Barrington, Durham, Portsmouth and Rochester. For more information, call 1.800.426.2265, visit fsbdover.com or
www.facebook.com/FederalSavingsBank.
TAKING THE SAFE PATH WHILE BIKING THIS SUMMER
June 2012
The YMCA of Strafford County reminds kids and adults about the importance of bike safety and the health benefits of biking.
[ROCHESTER, June 20] – The YMCA of Strafford County invites the community to come together on Saturday, July 14 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at their 35 Industrial Way branch location for their free Bike Rodeo event. Families are encouraged to bring their bikes and participate in different outdoor stations. The stations will focus on helmet fitting, bike safety, and traffic skills. A track will be set up for races and refreshments will be served. Bicycle helmets by Bell will be available for purchase at $10 each.
Participants can earn raffle tickets for every bike station visited for a chance to win biking themed prizes. “It’s important for us to include an element of fun while educating on the importance of safety. We really want the message to reach our community’s children and families so that everyone will have a safe and healthy bike season”, explained Branch Director Erika Weidner.
To learn more about the YMCA of Strafford County’s programs and events, please contact Erika Weidner, Branch Director, at 603.994.4115 or eweidner@yogm.org.
THE Y ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO HELP KIDS MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER AT ANNUAL HEALTHY KIDS DAY
April 2012
(Rochester, NH –April 16, 2012) To kick-start physical activity and learning throughout the summer – a critical out-of-school time for kids – the YMCA of Greater Manchester is celebrating Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event on Saturday, April 28 for kids and families. Summer is the ideal time for kids to get up, get out, and grow, but for some kids, exposure to activities that stimulate the body and mind ends with the school year. In fact, research shows that kids are more prone to gain weight and fall behind academically over the summer months.
“At Healthy Kids Day, we are helping parents take on summer by taking steps to ensure that their kids stay physically and intellectually active,” said Hal Jordan, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Manchester. “With summer just around the corner, there is no better time than now to begin developing a healthy routine that helps kids be healthier and sharper for when the next school year begins.”
A leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the Y holds Healthy Kids Day to improve the health and well-being of kids. As part of this initiative, the Y – along with hundreds of thousands of parents and kids nationwide – is taking on summer by addressing critical gaps in health and education that cause kids to be at increased risk for childhood obesity and suffer summer learning loss.
The free event will take place at the YMCA of Strafford County’s new 35 Industrial Drive location in Rochester, NH from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and will feature activities such as carnival games, family challenges, summer camp crafts, a toddler tumbling course, visits from the Rochester Fire Department and NH State Police, and more. A healthy lunch and snacks will also be provided.
For more information, contact the YMCA of Strafford County at 603.332.7334 or visit www.yogm.org.
JOIN A CAUSE FOR COMMUNITY, JOIN THE Y
January 2012
When dealing with life’s daily demands, people need a place to go where they can feel supported. Adults need help finding balance in life and motivation in managing their health. Children need safe environments where they’re nurtured and inspired to reach their full potential. Seniors need a place where they can be active and find camaraderie. And, families need opportunities and places to connect and strengthen relationships with one another.
The YMCA of Strafford County – a leading nonprofit that strengthens community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility – offers this support and more, and during its annual membership campaign is encouraging the Strafford County community to join the Y.
“At the YMCA of Strafford County, you’re not only part of an organization, but part of a community and a cause that benefits you and your neighbors,” says Erika Weidner, Branch Director. “Here, a membership means more – it’s an opportunity to feel good while being part of a cause that helps make positive changes in people’s lives.”
The YMCA of Strafford County offers a variety of programs to the community, with something for everyone, including a state-of-the-art health and fitness center for teens, adults, and seniors, group fitness classes, a kids zone and teen center, family nights, healthy nutrition education classes, an early childhood education center, summer camps, and more.
Last year, the YMCA of Strafford County helped 196 disadvantaged youth and families to ensure the Y is a welcoming place for everyone in the communities we serve. To learn more about the Y and to get involved, contact Tom Kelly at 603.994.4117,
tkelly@yogm.org, or visit
www.yogm.org.