HENDERSONVILLE, TN — The Links, Incorporated-Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter hosted its annual Chew and Move event April 20 in partnership with the Northwest Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. This fun event promotes active lifestyles and healthy eating.
Chew and Move is a signature service program of the Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter and is in its 13th year. Members volunteer in several areas working with both children and adults to ensure an enjoyable, informative, and impactful event. This year, more than 80 children were in attendance and 34 adults. A total of 55 children received complimentary dental screenings, patient education and free dental products from chapter members affiliated with Meharry Medical College’s School of Dentistry. Also, pediatric residents with the Meharry Pediatric Department provided healthy physical education for children.
“As we have experienced each year, Chew and Move continues to educate and encourage young people and families to focus more on their health,” said Attorney Leah Dupree Love, president of the Hendersonville Area (TN) Links Chapter. “We have made this our priority for the past 13 years and will continue to share the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise.”
annual Hendersonville Area (TN) Links’ Chew and Move event.
screenings to children during the Chew and Move event.
a basketball contest. This young participant is all smiles with his parent, and is joined by
Dr. Julie Gray, far left, and Sabrina Osse, 2nd left, director of programs at the Northwest YMCA,
host venue for the annual event.
The day’s activities included hula hoop, jump rope, face painting, a basketball contest, a Shenanigoats petting zoo, and free dental screenings through the Colgate Bright Smiles and Bright Future’s Van. Book’em provided free books.
“We are grateful to the Northwest Y for supporting this event and allowing us to partner with them as part of Healthy Kids Day,” said Dr. Julie Williams, Chew and Move event chair. “We know physical activity and nutrient-rich foods are important to the growth and development of every child.”
All children who participated received the gift of a jump rope or hula hoop to promote movement while the adults were treated to a cooking demonstration by Panache Catering, and guest speaker Christiane Buggs, CEO of PENCIL.
Chew and Move partners included Northwest Family YMCA, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Future, Book’em, Kipp, Meharry Medical College – School of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Medicine, PENCIL, Panache Catering, and Catering Concepts by Timothy.
The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Links, Incorporated has a membership of more than 15,000 professional women of color serving in more than 270 chapters in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Through its philanthropic arm – The Links Foundation, Incorporated – the organization has contributed more than $24 million to charitable causes since its founding. Washington, D.C. is the site of the national headquarters of The Links, Incorporated. The Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter was chartered in 1976.
To learn more about the national organization and its programs, visit www.linksinc.org or for information on the Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter, go to www.hendersonvillearealinks.org.
