5K Fitness Event Promotes Health, Fitness, and Fun

The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild hosted its first ever Family Fitness Fun 5K Run/Walk and Expo at the Burrage Mansion in Redlands on Sunday, May 3. The event kicked off with the 5K, which took place throughout the surrounding streets and ultimately finished back at the Mansion. The Expo was held at the Mansion as well, and after the children and families crossed the finish line they were welcome to take part in the many activities the Expo had to offer. The event included 25 exhibitors with booths set up including interactive activities such as potting plants, playing tennis, and hula-hooping. President of Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, Dixie Watkins, said that this event was the Guild’s first attempt at doing something like this; they worked on the event for around four months and learned a lot throughout the process, and they were so grateful for all of the people who turned out, Watkins shared. When asked about the premise of the event, Watkins responded, “We know that our Children’s Hospital takes really good care of sick kids, but we’d much rather they’d be healthy.” With the vendors and health-conscious activities at the event, teaching health awareness and healthy lifestyle habits was the goal. Jillian Payne, Executive Director for The Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, pointed out that none of it would have been possible without all of the event’s volunteers. She said, “We are so grateful for incredible volunteers who put enormous effort into supporting our children receiving care in the hospital.” Education Liaison Lynn Sleeth further praised the volunteers, who came from Redlands East Valley High School, Loma Linda Academy, Moore Middle School, and Teen Challenge of Riverside; she said after the 5K the student volunteers took the children all around the Burrage Mansion where they played games and had fun activities. Overall, the first Family Fitness Fun 5K, which was centered around encouraging families to get out and get active, brought members from all over the community together for an inspiring cause.