The FAMU School of Nursing provided hypertension screenings
at the Family Fitness Day | Photo credit: Jaclyn Harold
The Tallahassee Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated partnered with the Chi Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Walker Ford Community Center to host a Family Fitness Day.
Health vendors ranging from physical to spiritual wellness gathered in the center for the Family Fitness Day with 12 tables providing screenings and information about ways to start a healthy journey.
Each vendor took time to present information about their table and their contributions to assisting with life changes. Children joined in as parents and overseers followed fitness instructor Johnathan Brooks from “The New You” company on the floor to work out.
“The goal is to get everyone active and keep them moving,” said Brooks, who is a member of the Chi Omega chapter and leader of the physical fitness portion of the event since its start last year. “We want to educate people on being healthy,” he added.
Stacey Lee, a wellness advocate, stepped away from her table to address fitness in a spiritual way with her essential oils. She stood before everyone and explained how lemon oils act as a detox, and the oils distilled from lavender flowers pair well with stress relief and anxiety.
Florida State University sophomore student Khari King, who attended the Family Fitness Day, said he appreciated that the organizations incorporated mental health as part of the informational.
“I like how they had a holistic approach to wellness and fitness,” said King. “They obviously provided physical fitness, but they also encouraged mental health as well.”
The crowd watching as Johnathan Brooks demonstrates an exercise.
Photo credit: Jaclyn Harold
The Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences had glucose testing at their table, while the School of Nursing supplied high blood pressure testing. There were body compositions screenings and information on fitness classes with some of the different instructors.
Naquita J. Maning, who has a doctorate degree in doctor of nursing practice, said that the FAMU Nursing Association is more than willing to be a part of events that encourages community outreach.
“The FAMU Nursing Association participated in table screenings for hypertension. A part of their mission is community outreach,” Manning said. “That’s why they were so willing to come and be a part of this event.”
The Family Fitness Day closed out with a group picture and some door prizes. The Tallahassee Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and Chi Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi thanked the guests for attending and participating. Vendors sold last minute products and conducted their final screenings as some of the event goers made their last connections with the trainers.
“When we thought about the best thing for our community, fitness became ideal. We wanted this event to help give a better understanding of fitness, and to discuss those diseases that we don’t like getting tested for,” said Royle King, the president of the Chi Omega chapter.
“The reason we incorporated the family aspect is so that small changes can hopefully be made earlier in the habits of our children,” King continued.
From the children playing, and the fellowship surrounding the participants of the event, the turnout was a success. “We expected a great turn out,” Brooks said.