An evening of fun activities in the Community Resource Center at the Fonseca Elementary School on June 28th and 29th, 2012 offered families the chance to engage in some games while learning some important health information. Informational tables provided by Kool Smiles, Partners for a Healthier Community, the BOLD Coalition, the Fall River Fire Department, and Greater Fall River Re-Creation offered families the chance to learn about ways to protect their health and local resources for family activity throughout the summer. School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard spoke with parents and children about the Soda-free Summer Pledge Campaign that encourages families to cut back or cut out sugar-sweetened beverages for the summer months in order to reduce weight gain and dental disease. The evening also included some active games like bowling and hula-hoops, a sidewalk art activity and a full-length feature movie. Click here for a video. For more information about the event, contact Maureen Estes Ryan at 508-675-8177.

(Top row, left) Event organizer Maureen Estes Ryan and Fire Department Prevention Director Mike Arruda engage one of the children in a game. (Top row, center and right) School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard talks to Maria Teixeira and her children Tatiana and Ricky about the Soda-free Summer Pledge and then to Aimee Lanciault. (Middle row, left) Abel Uwanogho and his nine-year-old son, Joseph, talk with Annemarie Sharkey about the resources available at Greater Fall River Re-creation. (Bottom row, left and right) Julie Charest of the BOLD Coalition talks with Janice Laniciault and to Austin Corriveau and Osiris Carranza and her son, Alexander Munoz about tobacco and other drugs. (Bottom and middle row, center) Alexander Munoz and Aimee Lanciault have fun with chalk drawings on the sidewalk outside the school.