News Release - Community-Driven Back to School “Health, Wellness and Fitness Boost” to be Held at Ryan R-Center
City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017) – Mayor Lovely Warren has joined with dozens of community organizations, business owners and residents to conduct “The Investment: Back to School Health, Wellness and Fitness Boost,” event to prepare Rochester youth for the upcoming school year. The free event, now in its second year, is presented by Eazywork Bartendaz, in collaboration with City of Rochester R-Centers and the Blessings in a Bookbag Community Project and will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave.
“The Investment event is exactly as its name states -- it’s an investment in our youth,” said Mayor A. Lovely Warren. “It’s wonderful to see so many people in Rochester coming together to put on an encouraging event for kids as they close out their summer and head back to the classroom. Events like this create safer more vibrant neighborhoods, more jobs and better educational opportunities in our community.”
Eazywork is a community-based physical fitness movement with a focus on self-empowerment. Blessings in a Bookbag is a new initiative formed by Rochester residents and business owners seeking to provide resources for youth and encourage kids to have a successful school year. The group includes 14-year old Zaire Downs of Rochester, organizer of the Kicks 4 Kids Sneaker Drive. Zaire will be giving away approximately 500 of pairs of sneakers that he collected over the summer as a way to give kids extra confidence when heading back to school.
Lunch will be provided and free book bags with supplies will be given to school-aged children attending the event, while supplies last. Free books will be provided by the Rochester Public Library.
Children and families may participate in 3-on-3 basketball facilitated by the Rochester RazorSharks, pickleball, flag football with the Rochester Sting, line dancing with radio personality and entertainer Toshman Powell and demonstrations by the New York Capoeira Center, Future Boxing, McNeill’s Bujutsu Goshinjutsu and the Eazywork Bartendaz team.
Other activities include bounce houses, prize giveaways, a dunk tank and field games. A limited number of free haircuts will be provided by Kenady Entertainment and the MADD Cutz Barbershop.
Eat Smart NY will provide healthy cooking demonstrations on site. Participants may visit the Rochester Fire Department’s Fire Safety House and get an Operation Safe Child ID card from the Rochester Police Department. American Medical Response will be on site with health and safety information. Role models from the community including teachers, entrepreneurs and accomplished local athletes will greet children and provide encouragement for the school year. REX, the Rochester Rhinos’ mascot, Spikes from the Rochester Red Wings and Finley from the Rochester RazorSharks will be on hand along with other costumed characters.
Additional event sponsors and presenters at The Investment: Back to School Health, Wellness and Fitness Boost are as follows: TLCproductions2010; JC Penney Greece Ridge Mall; Diamond Packaging; GSL Show; Aries Ball Group; Bartendaz NYC; CG’s House of Bounce; 4life Clothing; Smilez ENT.; WXIR Extreme Independent Radio; and Zee’s Tees.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.