News
Dunnville youth invited to ‘Escape the Heat’ at Lions Park
SIMCOE, JULY 21, 2011 – The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s youth group, which goes by the name HEAT, is hosting a fun-filled outdoor park event on Thursday, July 28th to raise awareness about the importance of tobacco-free recreation.
The event, entitled ‘Escape the Heat’, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lions Park in Dunnville, and will include live music from local youth musicians, slip and slides, human-sized hamster balls and more.
Members of HEAT, an acronym for Health Education and Advocacy Team, see the free event as a fun, positive community event, and also as an opportunity to educate their peers about the benefits of tobacco-free sports and recreation. The youth-led group hopes to build support for their ambition to make local parks tobacco-free.
“We want to prevent young people like ourselves from starting to use tobacco products, and protect children and youth from second-hand smoke,” said Bre Warren, a youth volunteer with H.E.A.T. “Creating smoke-free parks is one way to help make Dunnville a healthier place to live.”
The group of teenage volunteers that make up Haldimand-Norfolk HEAT create events and campaigns that encourage their peers and the community to lead healthy lifestyles. The group is looking to recruit more youth volunteers for the upcoming school year. Anyone interested in getting involved with HEAT, or finding out more information about the ‘Escape the Heat’ event, can email[email protected]or call the Health Unit at 519-426-6170 ext. 3276.
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Media contact:
Marcia VandenBussche
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
Ext. 3276 at either 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623
[email protected]