Danbury Families Join Forces for Better Health, Mural Unveiling Tomorrow

Anthem Funding Helps Regional YMCA of Western CT Continue Health Message GO! 5-2-1-0

Just as the New Year’s resolutions are starting to fade, Danbury families are banding together to make a pledge for better health. On Thursday, January 31, 2019 Morris Street School unveiled the Go! 5-2-1-0 Wellness message, prominently placed as a mural in their school cafeteria as a reminder to Eat 5 fruits and vegetables daily; 2 hours or less of screen time; 1 hour of play every day and 0 intake of sugar-sweetened beverages.

This Wellness Message Go! 5-2-1-0 is not new to Danbury. The community adopted the wellness message as far back as 2011 with support from the United Way of Western CT and the many community partners active with the Coalition for Healthy Kids. This wellness message is
action oriented and outlines all the steps to keep kids, parents and caregivers at a healthy weight with strong hearts said Maureen Farrell, Director of Community Wellness for the Regional YMCA of Western CT.

Using this message has helped to decrease soda consumption in elementary school children and juice consumption with preschoolers by promoting water first for your thirst.

The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut would like to thank the Anthem Foundation for infusing $25,000 in grant funding to encourage this message to have stronger roots in all the community sectors engaged where families live, work and play. The goal is to have health
included in every policy or event including childcare, afterschool, school and work settings. In addition, a good town policy promotes more walking and biking. “We know that when our communities are healthy, residents are able to thrive, grow and prosper,” said Jill R. Hummel, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “We are proud to partner with the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut and their Go! 5-2-1-0 Wellness message. Organizations like the YMCA that are dedicated to improving the health of our communities and working to change the lives of so many people throughout the state are making a difference every day. Together, we’re one step closer to achieving a healthier future for all.”

To kick off a year of active living, children and families have taken a health pledge to eat more fruits and vegies, choose water first and put down the screens to go outside and play. On the cold dark nights, families can gather at the Danbury Public Library for Zumba held Wednesday nights from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm. The FREE program is led by a Regional YMCA Zumba Instructor. We encourage families to stay active together and have fun.