Walkers kicked-off the Activate Southcoast program on September 19, 2009, with a 2.3 mile walk on the Healthy Lives downtown walking route. Activate America is the YMCA’s response to our nation's growing health crisis. Activate Southcoast, which runs for twelve weeks, from September 19th to December 12, 2009, encourages people to take small steps towards a healthier lifestyle through "small steps" to get them active and moving. Registration is free and open to all in the Southcoast region and must occur before October 3, 2009, for participants to be eligible for prizes based on who burned the most calories. A caloric expenditure chart is located at the Y to translate dozens of activities into calories burned (e.g., bicycling = 212 "steps" per minute). The Fall River YMCA runs a variety of programs six days a week in their downtown location and can provide complete details. Click here, here  and here to see the previous years' events. For more information about programs at the Fall River Y, call 508-675-7841 or click here to see a program guide.
 

(Top row, left) YMCA wellness & childcare employee Javier Rosa displays his Activate Southcoast wristband indicating that he has signed up for the program. (Top row, right) Robert Rostocka and Daryl Parrent listen as YMCA director Frank Duffy explains the Activate Southcoast point system. (Middle row, left) Michelle Alves leads Beth Parrent and Destiny Vieira south on Main Street to Kennedy Park and back. (Middle row, right) Ana Crespo and Paula Crancha lead the group down North Main Street. (Bottom row, left) Marta Quintaninna and Keylan Flores push their strollers in front of the Library. (Bottom row, center) Frank Duffy and his daughter Hanna follow the group on their way to earning Activate points. (Bottom row, right) Keylan Flores and Sarah Mosher return to the Y after completing the 2.3 mile course.