5K Fitness Event Promotes Health, Fitness, and Fun

The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild hosted its first ever Family Fitness Fun 5K Run/Walk and Expo at the Burrage Mansion in Redlands on Sunday, May 3. The event kicked off with the 5K, which took place throughout the surrounding streets and ultimately finished back at the Mansion. The Expo was held at the Mansion as well, and after the children and families crossed the finish line they were welcome to take part in the many activities the Expo had to offer. The event included 25 exhibitors with booths set up including interactive activities such as potting plants, playing tennis, and hula-hooping. President of Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, Dixie Watkins, said that this event was the Guild’s first attempt at doing something like this; they worked on the event for around four months and learned a lot throughout the process, and they were so grateful for all of the people who turned out, Watkins shared. When asked about the premise of the event, Watkins responded, “We know that our Children’s Hospital takes really good care of sick kids, but we’d much rather they’d be healthy.” With the vendors and health-conscious activities at the event, teaching health awareness and healthy lifestyle habits was the goal. Jillian Payne, Executive Director for The Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, pointed out that none of it would have been possible without all of the event’s volunteers. She said, “We are so grateful for incredible volunteers who put enormous effort into supporting our children receiving care in the hospital.” Education Liaison Lynn Sleeth further praised the volunteers, who came from Redlands East Valley High School, Loma Linda Academy, Moore Middle School, and Teen Challenge of Riverside; she said after the 5K the student volunteers took the children all around the Burrage Mansion where they played games and had fun activities. Overall, the first Family Fitness Fun 5K, which was centered around encouraging families to get out and get active, brought members from all over the community together for an inspiring cause. [END] Family Fitness Fun 5K Run/Walk & Expo Date: 5/3/2015 Time: 7:00 a.m. Google Map Event Location: Burrage Mansion Address: 1205 W. Crescent Ave. Redlands CA 92373 Description: Check in 7 a.m., event 8 a.m. - noon. Enjoy 5K run/walk, adventure course, activity stations, vendors & more. Fun for the whole family! Visit website for ticket pricing. CONTACT INFO Website: lluch.org http://lomalinda.citynewsgroup.com/articles/7aebded0e7f316a5b96216b70f69034b STORY: Family Fitness Fun 5K Run/Walk & ExpoBYLINE: Caroline Taylor PHOTOS BY: Caroline Taylor PHOTOS: #5 –Attached 2, then 3 in the consecutive email PHOTO CAPTIONS: IMAGE1: Children were able to get a close-up look at a live alligator during the Expo. IMAGE2: Teen volunteers take a break while enjoying the post-5k Expo.IMAGE3: Children were given the chance to pet the reptiles during the presentation given by the Loma Linda University Center for Biodiversity & Conservation Studies.IMAGE4: Loma Linda University Center for Biodiversity & Conservation Studies brought a rattlesnake for everyone to see!IMAGE5: Tug-of-war was just one of the many games set up for kids to participate in throughout theday.WORD COUNT: 337CONTACTS: Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild- Lynn Sleeth, Education Liaison, 909-528-9284, lmsleeth@yahoo.com MEMO TO EDITOR: This was a very fun event to cover. All of the hosts were extremely friendly, and participants seemed to be having a great time. It was the first time they put on an event like this, and they estimated the turnout was around 300 people. SPIN-OFF STORIES FOUND AS A RESULT OF THE ASSIGNMENT: Coverage of any future events theGuild puts on. A profile on the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild. A profile on Teen Challenge of Riverside. ARTICLE TITLES: A Day of Healthy Inspiration at the Family Fitness Fun 5K Run/Walk Expo; Health, Fitness, and Fun for everyone at the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild First ever 5k Run/Walk and Expo; Families Are Encouraged to Get up and Get Active at the Big Hearts for Little Hearts First 5K Walk/Run & Expo. ARTICLE: The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild hosted its first ever Family Fitness Fun 5K Run/Walk & Expo at the Burrage Mansion in Redlands on Sunday may 3rd from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Theevent kicked off with the 5K, which took place throughout the surrounding streets and ultimately finished back at the Mansion. The Expo was held at the Mansion as well, and after the children and families crossed the finished line they were welcome to take part in the many activities the Expo had to offer. It included 25 exhibitors who had booths set up with interactive activities such as potting plants, playing tennis, and hula-hooping. President of Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, Dixie Watkins, said that this event was the Guild’s first attempt at doing something like this; they worked on the event for around 4 months and learned a lot throughout the process, and they were so grateful for all of the people who turned out. When asked about the premise of the event Watkinsresponded, “we know that our Children’s Hospital takes really good care of sick kids, but we’d much rather they’d be healthy.” Jillian Payne, Executive Director for The Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation pointed out that none of it would have been possible without all of the event’s volunteers. She said, “we are so grateful for incredible volunteers who put enormous effort into supporting our children receiving care in the hospital.” Education Liaison Lynn Sleeth further praised the volunteers, who came from Redlands East Valley High School, Loma Linda Academy, Moore Middle School, and Teen Challenge of Riverside; she said after the 5K the student volunteers took the children all around the Burrage Mansion where they played games and had fun activities. Overall, the first Family Fitness Fun 5K, which was centered around encouraging families to get out and get active, proved to be a huge success for everyone involved as it brought members from all over the community together for a great cause.