On Saturday September 29th, FGF held its 2nd annual walk at Huntington Beach, California. It was another beautiful sunny day in Huntington Beach, with more than 200 students and family members from Oak View Elementary School arriving by bus before the official 9am kick off. We started off with warm ups and stretching exercises led by volunteer registered physical therapists from St. Jude Medical Center.

After a brief welcome by honorable Huntington Beach city councilman and Mayor pro-tem Mr. Devon Dwyer, the walk was opened by students holding the start line ribbon and a student to cut it. Many other walkers, mostly from Orange County communities, joined the students, families ,Ms Laura Del Posh (the school principal) and several teachers and staff, to raise the community awareness about threats to children nutrition worldwide, from hunger to obesity.

Smiling children, happy families and participants walked 5 kilometers on the beautiful shorelines in bright green and yellow T-shirts with a simple logo on it, saying Champs. With Fana Global Foundation as the sponsor of this project, we were proud to be leaders of our community to spread the message of not only this worthy cause, but a huge undertaking to transform the children wellness globally. Crossing the finish line, participants enjoyed a great yoga session, massage sessions, art stations, dancing with great music and won great prizes and gifts.

Once again the proceeds of the walk will mainly support the after school wellness programs at Oak View Elementary School in Huntington Beach. These classes are open to children of all grades and their families twice a week throughout the school year. These include physical exercise taught by registered physical therapists, martial arts, yoga, dental hygiene, nutrition classes. A doctor of psychology will begin a new class this year to provide education about bullying and its management. The school nurse and volunteers will measure the BMI (Body Mass Index) of the students attending these classes to compare with the general BMI score in the school.

It was a fun event on a beautiful day and a great opportunity to raise community awareness, especially during the month of September which was designated child obesity prevention month by the President.

For further information about free membership and volunteering in Fana Global Foundation and its projects, please look up www.fanaglobal.org.

On August 31, 2012, the President signed a proclamation regarding National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, September 2012. In the proclamation, he urges Americans to promote healthy living for our children: 

"Each of us can play a role in ensuring our children have the opportunity to live long, healthy lives, and by joining together in pursuit of that mission, I am confident we can build a brighter future for America's youth."

Join the movement to raise a healthier generation of kids! There are opportunities for all of us -- parents and caregivers, elected officials from all levels of government, schools, health care professionals, faith-based and community-based organizations, and private sector companies -- to play a role in ensuring a healthy future for our children.
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We're proud to present Voice of OC reporter and UCI Journalism Professor feature on Fana Global Foundation's Children's Wellness program at Oak View Elementary School of Huntington Beach:

The instructions that Shohreh Hejazi gives are precise: “Turn the tooth brush to a 45-degree angle. Now brush along the gum line. See? Like this …"

Hejazi, a dental hygienist, is seated at a table with three kids and one mother in a classroom at Oak View Elementary School in Huntington Beach. After her demonstration, she hands a toothbrush and a set of larger-than-life dentures to 11-year-old Nancy and says, “Show me how you brush.”

Nancy complies, scraping the teeth in delicate circles.

“Nancy,” Hejazi then says in a stern voice. “Do you promise to brush?”

Nancy nods solemnly.

Hejazi is one of a group of Orange County volunteers inspired by a mystic poet from the 13th century, who are offering wellness classes every Tuesday afternoon and evening to students and families in Oak View, a low-income community in Huntington Beach.
Read more at Voice of OC.org...