NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 9, 2012
Goodwill AmeriCorps Members Encourage Youth to “Müv” this Martin Luther King Day
Annual Day of Service Encourages Youth Activity to Raise Awareness about Obesity
Northern New England — Goodwill AmeriCorps members throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will encourage youth to get out and “müv” this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. The MLK Day of Müvment: Reintroducing Ü to Movement aims to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic in Maine and across the country. Each local event features activities centered on health, exercise and nutrition. For a complete list of events happening throughout the state, please visit www.goodwillnne.org. Events are supported by the Maine Commission for Community Service and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Martin Luther King Day is a traditional day of service for AmeriCorps members. The MLK Day of Müvment recognizes that obesity is a serious and growing problem in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of US adults are obese and approximately 17% of children ages 2-19 years are obese.[1] The goal of the MLK Day of Müvment project is to provide local communities with chances for physical activity and nutrition education. “Martin Luther King devoted his life to advancing equality and social justice. He taught us that everyone has a role to play in working towards these goals,” said Joely Ross, Goodwill AmeriCorps Program Manager. By serving today and throughout the year, we honor Dr. King and help realize his dream of opportunity for all.”
Following is a list of participating events happening in northern New England:
Maine
January 7-14
Searsport
Food for Thought. Various times. Students at Searsport Middle School will help organize and distribute food at the Searsport Congregational and Methodist Food Cupboard. After-school programs all week will address nutrition, the importance of healthy foods and the food security issues. Students will also kick off winter-long food drive. FMI: Allison Wood, allisonkate.wood@gmail.com or 207-548-2313.
January 12 & 13
Harrington/Cherryfield
5K for MLK. Narraguagus High School & Maine Seacoast Mission. Learn about the five “K’s” of health: Kinetics, Kalistenics, Kardio, Kuisine and Kreativity. Activities for youth will be available in the afternoon on January 13 at Narraguagus High School; activities for seniors will be available on the afternoon of January 13 at Maine Seacoast Mission. FMI: Caroline Fish, cfish@seacoastmission.org, 207-546-4466.
January 13
Isleford – Little Cranberry Island
EMT Alert Workshop. All day. Volunteers will visit seniors at home to hand out free EMT alerts and help residents fill out emergency contact forms. FMI: Katelyn Damon, katelyndamon@hotmail.com or 207-479-8118.
North Haven
Eat Well, Move Well. Waterman’s Community Center. For toddlers. Come to a healthy nutrition story time, play on the trampoline, visit the park and eat healthy snacks. FMI: Brandy Dupper-Macy, bduppermancy@emh.org or 207-973-5758.
Rockland
Day of Müvment. Rockland Middle School, 6 to 8 pm. Youth are invited to participate in open gym activities, including Wii sports. Healthy snacks will be provided, as well as free fitness and nutrition information from Let’s Go! and the Knox County Commission for Health. FMI: Gordon Liu, gliu@brmaine.org or (651) 329-8806.
Skowhegan
Day of Müvment Food as Art. Somerset Grist Mill, 6 to 8 pm. There will be a free nutrition workshop and healthy cooking demonstration open to teens. FMI: Yvonne Bollenbacher, ybollenbacher@msad54.org or call (207) 649-8090.
January 15
Bangor
Get Ready to Move Contest. Maine Discovery Museum 12 to 5 pm. Youth will be given a pedometer to wear around the museum to track steps – win prizes! FMI: Alix Johns, alix@foodandmedicine.org, 207-546-4466.
Greenville
New Year “Taste” Test: MLK Day of Müvment. Greenville High School, 1:30 pm. Youth are invited to come and try a selection of healthy foods and learn about nutrition. FMI: Kirsten Jones, Kirsten.jones@ghslakers.org or (614) 962-1008.
January 15-16
Fort Fairfield
Day of Müvment: Healthy Living. Elementary students are invited to participate in outdoor activities, learn about the 5-2-1-0 program and enjoy healthy snacks. FMI: Liz Moran, emoran@msad20.org or 207-473-4455.
January 16
Farmington
One Ounce Drive (Prevention is Better than Cure). 8 am to 4 pm. Free Health Screening at Farmington United Way Office downtown from 8 am to noon and at the Farmington Wal-Mart from 1 to 4 pm. FMI: Mani Jean-Louis, manij_l@yahoo.com or 207-779-2155.
Isleford/ Great Cranberry Island
EMT Alert Workshop. 8 to 11 am. Isleford Neighborhood House. AmeriCorps volunteers will help Isleford residents fill out emergency alert information. From 12-3 pm, volunteers will help residents on Great Cranberry Island. FMI: Katelyn Damon, katelyndamon@hotmail.com or 207-479-8118.
Lincoln
Moving in a Winter Wonderland. KidCare America. 3 to 6 pm. Students in greater Lincoln are invited to a day of tubing at Hermon Mountain. Information will be provided on how to stay active in the winter. Healthy snacks included. FMI: Sonia Noble, Sonia@kidcareamericalincoln.org or 207-290-5383.
Westbrook
Day of Müvment Westbrook Community Center, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Activities include pool activities, yoga, Zumba, hula-hooping and a mini-triathlon. Lesson on how to make healthy snacks; day concludes with a movie about Martin Luther King, Jr. FMI: Julie Virgin, jvirgin@unitedwaygp.org or 207-212-8909.
January 16-17
Rockland
Youth Basketball Tournament. 12-3 pm each day. Middle school are youth are invited to participate on Sunday, January 15; High school youth are invited to take part on Monday, January 16. FMI: Gordon Liu, gliu@brmaine.org or (651) 329-8806.
January 17
Bethel, ME
Winter Wonderland. 2:30-5 pm. Learn how to stay active throughout the winter and love our Maine winters! Activities include a snowshoeing trip to Mount Christopher and a healthy afternoon snack. FMI: Philip Catanese, catanesep@sad44.org or 207-824-2185.
January 28
Bangor
Move and Groove Day, Maine Discovery Museum, 10:30 – 3:30. Hula dancers, children’s yoga, dance instructors – learn how to move and stay healthy! FMI: Alix Johns, alix@foodandmedicine.org, 207-546-4466
New Hampshire
January 11-13
Claremont
Day of Müvment. Stevens High School. Students will participate in fitness activities throughout the day, including keeping track of their steps with pedometers. The class with the highest percentage of steps taken will earn recognition. Free snacks provided. FMI: Stephanie Carr, stephanieacarr@yahoo.com or (603) 543-4220 x293.
January 13
Milford
Day of Müvment, Souhegan Valley Boys and Girls Club. 10 am. Youth are invited to the Souhegan Boys and Girls Club to learn about healthy eating – sample some healthy snacks! There will also be a fun obstacle course set up. FMI: Jon Park, jonathancpark@gmail.com.
January 17-19
Farmington
Student & Teacher Wellness. 12-1 pm each day. Students and teachers will have access to free health screenings each day. FMI: Mike McKay, mckaykidd08@yahoo.com.
Vermont
January 16
Barnet
Winter Wellness Day. 8 am to 3 pm. Classes K-8 at the Barnet School have three options to participate: snowboarding at Burke Mountain, swimming at Lyndon State College or sledding at Barnet School. Healthy snacks and lunches will be provided. FMI: Tyler Scher, tscher@kidrow.net or (802) 343-8889.
Manchester
Yoga for All. 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Free yoga session open to all community members. Participants will also receive a packet of nutritional information an easy & healthy recipes to make at home. FMI: Sky Kochenour, sky@digitalwish.org or (866) 344-7758.
Orleans
Eat This, Not That! Food Demo. Lake Region Union High School. 11 am to 2 pm. Healthy food tasting will be held for students and faculty members. Nutritional information will be provided. FMI: Jennifer Woolard, jewoolard@gmail.com or (802) 754-6521.
January 18
Sharon
Lean about Nutrition! The Sharon Academy, 12:30 2:30 pm. Students and teachers are invited to after-school activities to lean about new healthy food initiatives and sample healthy and affordable food. There will also be a group hike on the school’s trails. FMI: Steve Peters, speters@sharonacademy.net or (802) 763-2500.
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Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has a 78-year history of providing innovative services that eliminate barriers to opportunity and help people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work. We serve individuals through job training and placement, career counseling, family strengthening services, youth employment opportunities, brain injury programs, and other community support services for people with disabilities. Our programs are funded by revenue from our 26 retail stores, grants, fees, and financial gifts. Please visit www.goodwillnne.org for more information.
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michelle.smith@goodwillnne.org
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