160 NYC Kids Walk to Fight Diabetes

Under a beaming sun, 160 young volunteers traveled from after-school programs throughout New York to walk the length and breadth of Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem on Saturday, raising money for the American Diabetes Association. They then enjoyed an afternoon of dance, jump rope and relay games. The event marked Global Youth Service Day and was sponsored by TASC and Children for Children, with support from State Farm Insurance, the Harlem YMCA, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and Harlem Hospital Center.

The participating kids are all active in Building Healthy Communities, an initiative managed by TASC that promotes kids’ healthy habits at school, at home and among their families and community members. Kids in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia work throughout the school year to plan and carry out projects to make their schools or neighborhoods healthier places.

The young volunteers at the second Building Healthy Communities Walk-a-Thon and Health Fair attend after-school programs operated by New Settlement Apartments, New York City Mission Society, Spring Creek Community Corporation, Good Shepherd Services, LEAP, Alianza Dominicana, the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families and Southern Queens Park Association. They attend school at PS 64, PS 59, PS 85, PS 346, PS 79, PS 163, PS 246, IS 145 and PS 118.