“It was a tremendous way to kick off SummerActive 2001.”
That was Elaine Caron’s reaction when recalling the large turnout on hand early Friday morning to take part in the Family Fun Walk at Robert Moore School here.
“We had over 170 students and parents participate in the walk,” said Caron, with the Northwestern Health Unit here.
“The Heart Health Coalition and community partners hope to hold at least one physical activity event per week for the duration of the campaign,” she added.
Other events they’re currently working on include a Workplace Poker Walk, Toonie Swim, Toonie In-Line Skate, Walk this Way Walking Group, and the Hip Hip Hooray Walk.
SummerActive 2001 was created by Parks and Recreation Ontario in an effort to encourage Ontarians who want to become active to take the first step towards adding physical activity into their daily lives.
The campaign, which is running from May 11 to June 22, aims to increase physical activity levels in individuals who already are active but would benefit from increasing the amount of physical activity in their lives.
Taking home the grand prize for the highest card hand during Friday’s Family Fun Walk were Mitzi Turcotte and her sons, Randy, four, and Riley, seven, who went home with SummerActive 2001 sweatshirts and T-shirts.
Other winners included Jon Drew, 12, and Travis Hahkala, 11, who both received gift certificates for a CD from Sight and Sound, as well as Kayla Windigo, nine, and Leah Nowak, 13, who took home gift certificates to Warehouse One–The Jean Store.
“We want to encourage all sectors–recreation, health, sport, workplaces, schools, and others–to work together to promote physical activity opportunities in their communities,” said Larry Ketcheson, CEO of Parks and Recreation Ontario.
“By encouraging these sectors to work together, we hope that inactive and less active individuals in each community will participate in this year’s SummerActive campaign.”
Participants in this year’s programs and events are encouraged to register their participation online so they can be eligible to win one of six grand prizes, as well as up to five daily prizes, presented through the Sun/Foot Locker National Contest.
“We aim to have Ontarians take the first step during the SummerActive campaign,” Ketcheson said. “But to continue physical activity throughout the year.”
For more information, call Elaine Caron or Jacqueline Cawston at 274-9827. To register online, go to www.summeractive.canoe.ca
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
