Join The Gateway Family YMCA on National Walking Day

Elizabeth, NJ, March 19, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The Gateway Family YMCA is encouraging community members and businesses to participate in National Walking Day. National Walking Day, observed on April 2, is sponsored by the American Heart Association. Businesses and community members can organize their own event or join in one of the already scheduled events, including one organized by The Gateway Family YMCA and Shaping Elizabeth, Community Health Initiative. Shaping Elizabeth is a collaboration of organizations in Elizabeth working together to improve the health of the community. Founding partners include: Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Groundwork Elizabeth, City of Elizabeth Health & Human Services and Elizabeth Development Company. The Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation supported the work of Shaping Elizabeth with a grant in 2013.

“Employee wellness is very important,” stated Krystal R. Canady, CEO – The Gateway Family YMCA, “It’s very beneficial to take a quick walk during the day, and there is no better day to start than on National Walking Day.”

All branches of The Gateway Family YMCA will be participating in National Walking Day, encouraging staff, members and the community to join in a brief lunchtime walk. To join The Gateway Family YMCA and Shaping Elizabeth on April 2, the walk will begin at the Elizabeth Midtown Walking Trail off North Broad Street at 12pm. To organize a walk for another business or to RSVP for The Gateway Family YMCA walk, contact Alane McCahey, Executive Director of Community Initiatives at 908-249-4800 or amccahey@tgfymca.org

The Gateway Family YMCA offers Corporate Wellness programs, and leads by example encouraging employee wellness and healthy alternatives for all staff. “Participating in National Walking Day is an easy way for a business to show their staff that health and wellness is important and that they care about the health of their employees,” added Melynda Mileski, EVP/COO – The Gateway Family YMCA, “We have seen an influx of local businesses contacting the YMCA to design Corporate Wellness programs for their employees. It’s very encouraging to see this investment in the health and well-being of their staff.”

The Gateway Family YMCA, formerly The YMCA of Eastern Union County, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community and stands For Youth Development, For Healthy Living and For Social Responsibility. The Gateway Family YMCA impacts the community by providing quality services to people of all ages, races, faith or incomes. The Y doesn’t just strengthen bodies – it strengthens people, families and communities.

For more information about community programs and services provided by The Gateway Family YMCA visit tgfymca.org. For more information on the National Walking Day events at YMCA Branches, please contact: Elizabeth Branch ElizabethInfo@tgfymca.org or 908-355-9622, Five Points Branch FivePointsInfo@tgfymca.org or 908-688-9622, or the Rahway Branch Rahwayinfo@tgfymca.org or 732.388.0057.