July 21, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Sherri Holman, MPH
Associate Director of Public Affairs
P (212) 939-1372 F (212) 939-1367
sherri.holman@nychhc.org

Harlem Hospital Center will host the Walk It Out! Family Walk & Run for the Village of Harlem on Sunday, August 1, 2010 from 12:00PM to 3:00PM. This special event will take place at Riverbank State Park, 675 Riverside Drive at 145th Street, and is free and open to the public. The Walk It Out! Family Walk & Run is co-sponsored by the Healthy Heart Program of the NYS Department of Health, New York Road Runners, AARP, the Harlem NNORC of the Abyssinian Development Corporation, the Central Harlem Health Revival, and the Association of Black Cardiologists.

The Walk It Out! Family Walk & Run is a formal introduction of the Walk It Out! program at Harlem Hospital Center. For the past six months, the Walk It Out! initiative has been developed at Harlem Hospital Center as a comprehensive physical activity program for Harlem's senior citizens. The purpose of Walk It Out! is to enhance access to neighborhood spaces for physical activity and to develop informational outreach activities to promote holistic health and prevent disease and illness among Harlem's senior citizens. Walk It Out! also promotes the benefits of intergenerational interaction and socialization.

Attendees of all generations will participate in a Walk & Run competition, a warm-up and field games led by New York Road Runners, double-dutch clinics and an intergenerational Dance-off competition, a Tai Chi demonstration, and other activities while enjoying music provided by DJ Barry B of the Get Fresh Crew. Everyone will receive a free and healthy Sunday brunch, Walk It Out! T-shirts, and other giveaways. Attendees will also be engaged by a Health Fair and Screenings, an Art Creation Station, a Senior Station with the Harlem NNORC, Surprise Guest Appearances, Dance Performances by the Harlem Hospital Senior Dancers and the Irreplaceables of Frederick Douglass Academy, a Double Dutch Demonstration by the National Double Dutch League, a Gospel Performance by Refining Faith, a Hip-Hop Performance by Supa Nova Slom, and more to be announced! There will also be a raffle including an iPad and Costco gift certificate as prizes.

The Walk It Out! Family Walk & Run is open to community members of all ages, as it is a call for the promotion of health and fitness for all generations.

Harlem Hospital Center is a member of the Generations+/Northern Manhattan Health Network and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.