May 10, 2012

Western Health is recognizing Canada Health Day by offering support to community groups and schools through healthy activity grants.

For Immediate Release

(Corner Brook, NL- May 10th, 2012) Western Health is recognizing Canada Health Day by offering support to community groups and schools through healthy activity grants. This year’s theme “Healthy Communities, Healthy Canadians” will be demonstrated through engagement of children, youth, and/or families in activities that enable them to prepare healthy foods and be active together (for a list of events see attached backgrounder).  The theme and its related activities encourages Canadians to live a more healthy lifestyle by being more active, eating healthy and by becoming more involved in their communities on May 12^th , and all year.

Canada Health Day is a national celebration of the contributions and successes of public health in Canada. “We encourage residents throughout the region to participate in these activities and learn more about healthy living,” says Michelle House, Vice-president of Population Health for Western Health.  “Incorporating healthy eating and regular activity in our lives is important for all of us to achieve not only on Canada Health Day, but everyday throughout the year.”

The Canadian Healthcare Association (CHA) and the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) have worked in partnership for 30 years to make Canada Health Day a celebration of public health in Canada

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Media Contact:

Heidi Staeben-Simmons

Director of Communications

Western Health

709-637-5252

heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca

Backgrounder:  Canada Health Day 2012 Activities

Canada Health – Fun Day!  May 11th

Families are invited to participate in making a healthy breakfast and fruit salad.  Families will learn about eating healthy and participate in a family fun aerobics session.

Contact: Shelley Hynes, Family Resource Centre, Corner Brook

709-634-2316 or hynesshelley@hotmail.com

Stepping Out for our Health – River of Ponds May - 12th

Children, youth, and families are invited to walk the River of Ponds Community Trail together. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn how to make smoothies and enjoy a refreshing smoothie after the walk.

Contact: Jean Hoddinott, River of Ponds Ladies Wellness Group

225-4471 or jchddnt@nf.sympatico.ca

Canada Health Day Community Swim  - St. Paul’s, Cow Head, Parsons Pond - June 8th

Children and families from the communities of St. Paul`s, Cow Head, Three Mile Rock and Parson`s Pond are invited to enjoy a one-hour swimming party followed by a smoothie demonstration and information about healthy eating from the Community Health Nurse and Youth Outreach Worker.

Contact: SueAnn Collett, Public Health Nurse

709-243-2129 or sueanncollett@nf.sympatico.ca

Canada Health Day Community Swim – Norris Point, Rocky Harbour - June 6th

Children and families from the communities of Norris Point and Rocky Harbour are invited to enjoy a one-hour swimming party followed by a smoothie demonstration and information about healthy eating from the Community Health Nurse and Youth Outreach Worker.

Contact: Allison Carpenter, Community Health Nurse

709-458-2381, ext. 264 or allisoncarpenter@westernhealth.nl.ca

The Skipping Sporting Event – Port Saunders - May 26th

Children, youth, and families will be introduced to a simple, fun way of being physically active – skipping. They will enjoy a skipping lesson and walk.  Children and families will be also be engaged in preparation of a healthy meal and/or smoothies after being physically active.

Contact: Denise White, Community Advisory Committee, Committee for Healthy Communities  709-861-3797or denisew@bellaliant.net

Make Your Own Pancake Day & Health Day – Corner Brook

Breakfast Club participants are invited to prepare a healthy pancake breakfast with fruit and berries toppings. Children and youth will participate in physical activities including yoga and aerobics.

Contact: April MacDonald, Communities in Schools

709-639-8988 or aprilmacdonald@wnlsd.ca

Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Families – Port aux Basques - May 9th

Youth are invited to participate in a Healthy Eating Relay Race, Flag Tag, and Physical Activities followed by an education session on healthy eating and nutrition jeopardy game. Youth will be engaged in the preparation of healthy snacks.

Contact: Glenda Dominie, The Rec House Community Youth Network

709-695-6901 or rechousecyn@gmail.com

Fruit Bouquets and DPA (Daily Physical Activity)!!! – Corner Brook - May 8th

Children and older buddies will create fruit bouquets. All students in the St. Gerard’s Elementary, Corner Brook will also engage in physical activity with the support of a fitness video and the Community Health Nurse as a guest speaker.

Contact: Jennifer Sansome, St. Gerard’s Elementary

639-8945 or Jennifer.sansome@wnlsd.ca

Steady Brook Families Celebrate Canada Health Day! May 12th 9 am - 12 noon

Children and families are invited to participate in a ‘Mission Possible Obstacle Course’ and Healthy Tasty Sandwich Competition. Children and families will be involved in a physical activity challenge and creating a healthy sandwich to be judged based on nutrition and taste.

Contact: Tara Slade, Community Mental Health Initiative Inc.

634-4321or cmhi.mhp@gmail.com

Health Day – Corner Brook - May 10th

Children/youth will participate in a group walk and bowling party. The Health Day also supports children and youth in preparing their own healthy snacks to bring with them to the bowling alley. A Community Health Nurse will be available to review information on healthy eating.

Contact: Geraldine Terry, Kinsmen YMCA Afterschool Program

639-0699 or geralineterry@hotmail.com

Canada Health Day Scavenger Hunt – Corner Brook - May 16th

Community Health Nurses will discuss the importance of public health and children’s role in taking care of their own health. A Healthy Scavenger Hunt through Margaret Bowater Park will follow. Children will look for health clues hidden along the trail. Participants will prepare their own healthy snacks at the Dunfield Park Community Centre to bring with them to the Park for the Scavenger Hunt activity.

Contact: Michelle Inder, Dunfield Park Community Centre – Homework Haven

632-2916 or michelleinder@westernhealth.nl.ca

MakeOver Madness – Trout River - May 16th

Children and families are invited to a Community Kitchen session that will involve preparation of healthy snacks and lunches for schools, as well as making over a common family meal to make it a more healthy choice. Following the cooking session, yoga will be offered to participants emphasizing the physical and mental health benefits.

Contact: Michelle Harris, Tree House Family Resource Centre

709-451-2168 or emichelleharris@yahoo.com

Farm  to Fork  - Woody Point - June 7th

Younger and older generations are invited to participate in a presentation by the Community Health Nurse regarding healthy eating and growing your own healthy foods. Younger generations will be engaged in gardening and will receive instruction from local gardeners on soil preparation, planting and caring for their garden. The activity also involves development of a community compost plot.

Contact: Jacqueline Blanchard, Town of Woody Point

709-453-2273 or blanchardj@bellaliant.net