Activity Report: Hike for Health Program (1st Year 2008)

This program was a hit in the Community. I came on as Coordinator in December 07, and after assessing the community, there was a great  need for a local, assessable, and easy fitness program. 

We kicked off in May 2008 with our first hikes on the reservation. It was wonderful to start with a few participants, 12 including 3 staffers. As the hikes continued, so did the participation.

As the weather changed so did our locations, for the summer we hiked in the high mountains, shady with trees and at the beach.

We ended the program this year December 2008 with a grand total of 101 particpants including 21 staff participations. 

Activity Report: Health Fair 2008 & Native Youth Olympic Games

This was the first year in12 years that this Event was offered for our community youth.  Formerly known as the ‘Mini Olympics’, the Health Fair 2008 Native Youth Olympic Games, on Saturday, October 18^th at the Soboba Sports Complex, hosted 175 attendants including participants, staff, and volunteers.  1964 Tokyo Olympic Games 10,000 meter Gold Medalist Billy Mills was the Keynote Speaker for the event.  The event offered multiple games for kids ages 4-18 to compete in, helpful information from clinic departments about their area of health and wellness, raffles, snacks & lunch, and a DJ.  Also, children that placed as the top three competitors in their events were awarded engraved medals at the Awards Presentation Ceremonies.  Look for the Native Youth Olympic Games Flag flying high at your clinic to motivate the youth in your community!

We had such a positive response, encouraging feedback, and great success, that we are all ready planning the event for this year.  If you are interested in Volunteering and/or being a Planning Committee Member, please contact Antonia.   Our mission is to continue to help our community “Nurture Your Health Through Exercise!” 

Activity Report: 3rd Annual Morongo Canyon Walk

The Morongo Canyon Walk on November 20, 2008 was a fantastic event.  The Canyon Walk is an event that began in 2006 to support the National Native American Health and Fitness Day and continues our partnership with the Just Move It program.  The event hosted 101 participants!  This was over 2.5 times the amount of total attendants than last year.  There were 69 community members; which was over 3.5 times the amount of community turnout than last year, and 32 clinic staff were present. Thank you to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for advertising this event on the Channel, and to Alicia Sevick at the Fitness Center for challenging her community clients to participate.  We also had participants come from Hemet & Torres-Martinez TANF. 

This year, participants received Nike walk packs, similar to those given the past two years, and a souvenir Event Windbreaker.  I am blessed and honored to have the continued support of the Morongo Tribal Council, and the generous aid from community member Karen Corbin who received an appreciation gift for her service.  Other faithful community members include Cynthia St. John, Joe Becerra, and Marlena Gastelum to name a few.  I hope this year brings continued success for our Morongo Canyon Walk.