Mississippi United has partnered with the YMCA of Southeast Mississippi to celebrate National Healthy Kids Day from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24.
The local Healthy Kids Day event is safely open for community participation, and all activities will be set up in the parking lot of the YMCA at 3719 Veterans Memorial Drive in Hattiesburg.
This community-wide, live event will serve as the community launch of Mississippi United, including the official membership ribbon cutting with the Area Development Partnership.
Mississippi United is a grassroots effort that aims to improve health, humanity and quality of life in the Magnolia State.
This free event — which will feature live music by one-man band Charles “C. C.” Carter and an appearance by Mississippi Miss Hospitality McKay Lee Bray — is sponsored in part by Spartan Mosquito, which will stage a community product giveaway. Community partners Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Schools Against Vaping, along with area pizza vendors and Hook’s Catering, will provide complimentary food and beverages for the event.
Preceding the official launch, Mississippi United named Sara Odom, a 15-year-veteran of the nonprofit industry, as executive director. She served as vice president of United Way of East Mississippi for eight years, where she helped raise over $8 million to support more than 20 regional organizations as they improved health, income and education in their communities.
When asked about leading a new nonprofit during a pandemic, Odom expressed confidence that, despite challenges that may arise, this is when an organization like Mississippi United is most needed.
She said, “We have seen these times before, and without a doubt we will see them again … but it is during these trying times that we as a state come together to model to the rest of the nation that regardless of politics, race, gender, or religious beliefs, we are not divided; we are Mississippi United.”
In addition to free food, entertainment and information on how to keep children physically and mentally healthy, the event will feature many other activities for kids including balloons by University Florist; a reading tent with mental health ambassador Miss Presley Heights Katelyn Brown; free yoga demonstrations; and participation from health care community partners such as the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services.YMCA, Mississippi United celebrate Healthy Kids Day
Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker will issue an official city proclamation for the celebration.
“Healthy Kids Day provides all the ingredients for developing healthy, resilient kids. Join the Y for a day full of activities that celebrate kids being kids,” said Matt Rumph, CEO of the local YMCA.
For sponsorship and vendor information from Mississippi United, visit mississippiunited.org.
To learn more about programs at the YMCA of Southeast Mississippi, visit ymcasems.org.
