Karate Chops and Other Activities Kick Up a Pittsburgh We Can!™ Energize Our Families Program

Posted November 12, 2009

Kicks were had all around at a Youth and Wellness Fair for Families, hosted by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh on September 13.

From karate lessons, to African drumming, to a more relaxing Zen moment through yoga, there were options galore for some 50 to 100 Pittsburgh-area families who attended the first-time event. The center, a We Can! site since June 2008, used the event to highlight fitness as fun while simultaneously promoting the Center's new We Can! Energize Our Families program.

"We figured the kids who aren't moving are not the kids on sports teams, and so their parents might not know how to engage them in physical activity," said Marsha Mullen, Jewish Community Center organizer and We Can! site leader. "We wanted to show everyone that there are many different forms of physical activity."

And boy, did they show it! There were five different physical activities to choose from, including an obstacle course and a double-sided sports wall. Non-fitness organizations and companies, such as Grow Pittsburgh, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods, showed attendees the importance of healthy eating. The Pittsburgh Children's Museum, which is another area We Can! site, entertained children with an anatomy puppet to teach them the importance of taking care of their bodies, while UPMC Health Plan (a We Can! partner) handed out We Can! materials to parents.

Throughout the event, attendees were able to learn about We Can! and sign up for the Center's upcoming Energize Our Families classes, which began October 18.