By Tim Mandell
Register News Writer
RICHMOND —
It takes an entire community to improve its quality of life.
That is why local businesses and community members are being called on to help Madison County residents become more active during the annual Second Sunday event.
The statewide campaign was created to encourage residents to bike, walk, run, play and participate in fun and healthy activities, according to www.2ndsundayky.com.
In Madison County, the event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Battlefield Park and Golf Course.
Gina Noe, University of Kentucky cooperative extension agent for Family & Consumer Sciences, said the state is ranked in the top 10 nationally in obesity.
“The idea behind the whole statewide initiative is that Kentucky is one of the most obese states,” she said. “We’re trying to show the rest of the nation that we are really working to get that statistic down.”
Local businesses and organizations, such as Mike’s Hike and Bike, the YMCA, Jazzercise and local doctors are expected to be on hand to introduce alternative ways to be active.
A bicycle rodeo will be run by the Berea and Richmond City police departments and games for kids will be coordinated by Berea College students.
Organizers also are trying to get members of the EKU football team to make an appearance to encourage kids to be physically active.
There always is room for more businesses and organizations, Noe said.
“If there are any businesses or organizations that would like to be involved with the physical activities, they just need to give me a call and I can give them a form to fill out,” Noe said.
Volunteers also are needed.
“It’s a big event,” Noe said. “We need a lot of help getting the event set up, breaking it down, helping with parking and the evaluations.”
Evaluations consist of volunteers walking around with clipboards and asking people to take a survey to evaluate the event.
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the event can call Gina Noe at 623-4072 or email her at gcnoe@uky.edu.
Last year, 100 counties participated in Second Sunday. This year, the hope is that all 120 become involved, said Diana Doggett, the statewide coordinator.
“Developing a healthier population is well established as a top priority for Kentucky because not only our physical but also our fiscal well being is at stake,” Doggett said.
“Since 1980, the rate of obesity has doubled in adults and tripled in children,” she said. “The overall health risks due to obesity are greater than for smoking, drinking or poverty and the long term effects of obesity are comparable to aging 20 years.”
Partners in planning the local event include Berea Parks and Recreation, the Madison County Health Department, Patti A. Clay Regional Medical Center, and the Madison County Fiscal Court.
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.
