April is Volunteer Appreciation Month -- a big THANK YOU to our volunteers!
The Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria has over 200 members and community partners. Our work would truly not be possible without all of their leadership, support, and participation. April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and this month we want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of our volunteers and partners for ALL that they do. In recognition of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we would like to highlight some of the work that our “Volunteer Stars” have been doing this year! Click here to learn more about volunteers Beth Donnelly, Alice Reid, Don Horne, Susan Kennedy, Tom Shaw, Sissy Walker, and Tracy Viselli.
Opportunity to become a Master Food Volunteer
Love to Cook? Want to Learn More About Nutrition and Wellness? Enjoy Volunteering? Want to Make a Difference in Your Community? Join the Master Food Volunteers! You will be trained to give healthy cooking demos, nutrition classes, and healthy grocery tours to audiences of all ages. Registration deadline: April 20th. Training to become a Master Food Volunteer takes place over 8 weeks on Fridays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
A-COAN Co-Chair receives Community Award!
Tricia Rodgers, co-chair for the Childhood Obesity Action Network and Program Officer for the Northern Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth received a the prestigious Making a Difference Award awarded by the Alexandria Commission for Women. The Making a Difference Award is given to a woman who serves as a change agent in her community. Congratulations to Tricia!
Playground Assessment Complete!
During Summer and Fall 2011, we worked to better understand barriers to play in our community through a community-wide playground assessment, focus groups, and a photovoice project. Check out the results of the assessment! If you are interested in getting involved, the Project Play Task Force will be meeting on March 22, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA.
Join us for the Yokid Challenge
The 2012 Alexandria YoKid Challenge is just around the corner! The fun begins with a vision & goal setting exercise, followed by 108 Sun Salutations! (performed in 4 sets of 27 with rest periods in between). Sunday, March 4th from 2 - 4pm at Cora Kelly Recreation Center. Click here for more information.
Celebrating a Successful 2011!
We had a banner 2011 and wanted to share our successes with you and THANK you for all your support. This work is only made possible by partners across the community working together towards a healthier Alexandria.Announcing Project Play Spruce Up Grant Winners!
Alexandria residents nominated 17 local playgrounds to receive a funding to pay for new small equipment, equipment repairs and upgrades, seating and shade trees and other innovative ideas to improve Alexandria playspaces. See who won!
Strategies for Alexandria Businesses to Help Prevent Obesity
Are you an employee or a business executive who is looking for ways that you can make the place you work healthier? Here are some ideas for how.
Top of the Town Walk Around - Free Family Event! (11/5)
Save the date! Top of the Town Walk Around – Saturday, November 5th, 9:30 - noon. Come out and play for Veteran’s Day. Join the Mayor and some of our local fitness gurus for some active fun with your family. Walk the stairs of the Masonic Temple! Meet firefighters and check out their truck! Work out with CrossFit Old Town! Do potato sack races and cardio kick boxing with Fit2Be! Play games on the YMCA’s moving playground! Click here for the Spanish version.
“Building Communities Through Gardening” Workshop (10/18)
Last chance! Sign up for “Building Communities Through Gardening” – a FREE half day workshop for community organizations on how to start and manage a garden. The workshop is hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Northern Virginia Master Gardeners, and the Alexandria Childhood Obesity Action Network. Tuesday, October 18th, 8:30 a.m. – noon. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22206.
Childhood Obesity Action Network launches Project Play!
In partnership with Alexandria/Arlington Smart Beginnings, we are launching Project Play to increase play opportunities in Alexandria and to ensure that every child has a quality space to play. This summer we're assessing all the playgrounds in Alexandria and working with parents and child care providers to take pictures of the BEST and WORST features of Alexandria playgrounds.