Due to the overwhelming response from the community, Fit Kids Day will return to Evelyn Greer Park on May 19 for what promises to be a fun and exciting event.
Fit Kids Day is an initiative that began when then Carrollton School sixth grader Sofia Victoria de la Peña envisioned a day full of outdoor activities that kids could participate in. With the enthusiasm of the Pinecrest event, the initiative took off and has grown statewide, with cities such as Jacksonville and Tampa pledging to create their own Fit Kids Day within their communities.
“My goal was to get my friends to go outdoors and play, get people moving and informed about healthy eating habits,” said de la Pena, ambassador chair for the Fit Kids Day initiative. “I wanted to contribute to the effort to reduce childhood obesity. I never imagined a conversation with my friends during lunch time would turn into this, but I am happy that we have reached so many kids around the community.”
The first annual Fit Kids Day on May 5, 2012, turned out more than 500 kids geared up to experience a day full of outdoor activities, which included tennis, drills by the Coral Oaks Tennis Club, soccer training led by Pinecrest Premier Soccer Club and the University of Florida Men’s Soccer Team, Martial Arts demonstrations by White Tiger and Dragon, relaxation techniques by Zen Village, baseball games sponsored by Gulliver Schools, Lacrosse by Ransom Everglades Schools and a performance by the Hip Hop Kids dancers.
The event also offered healthy food choices for participants, which included tastings from Power Pizza, Energy Kitchen and Evos, as well as drinks provided by Activate Water. The best part of Fit Kids Day is fact that the entire event, from the list of desired activities to the logo, was created by school age-children from around Miami-Dade County acting as Ambassadors for the initiative.
The Ambassadors of Fit Kids Day were honored during the 2012 event by both Mayor Cindy Lerner and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez for their hard work and dedication to making the community a healthier place. May 5, 2012, was also officially proclaimed “Fit Kids Day” by Mayor Gimenez.
Fit Kids Day 2013 is already underway, as professional athletes and actors from various sports teams and televisions networks have vowed support and are scheduled to participate in this year’s event.
“We hope to double or triple the number of kids that come out to Evelyn Greer Park for Fit Kids Day,” said de la Pena. “We know this won’t be an easy task, but we are ready to tackle it.”
For more information or to get involved, call 305-989-7822 or email avargas@lmcglc.com
