THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9504010227
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIA MORGAN ALLEN, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
Gary Bolden has the chance to do what his grandmother said he would always be blessed to do: Help people.
He grew up in Farmville, helping her maintain and cultivate 51 acres of cabbage, corn, tomatoes and onions. Saturday, he hopes to help more families in Hampton Roads.
Almost single-handedly, the Norfolk State University senior has planned Healthy Kids and Parents Day, a one-day health and fitness show, at the Hunton YMCA in downtown Norfolk. A handful of Y's across the area also will be celebrating Healthy Kids and Parents Day, but only Hunton's will last through the evening, with a carnival.
The events at Hunton also will include health screenings, a morning walk, volleyball, ping-pong, a rapping contest for those who think they have skill, and a weight-lifting contest for those who have the will.
Bolden, 26, also has lined up some big-name guests, including Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim, Vice Mayor Paul R. Riddick, Buffalo Bills football player Bruce Smith and WVEC-TV anchorwoman Barbara Ciera.
The project ``is important because I have an opportunity to get in touch with the community and let the children know that someone cares about them,'' Bolden said, holding a handful of neon orange fliers describing the community events.
Reginald Towns, director of the Hunton Y, said previous health days have been hampered by lackluster advertising and limited resources. This year, he's more optimistic, thanks to Bolden's efforts. He's lined up sponsors including Farm Fresh, McDonald's and Coke.
``He seems to be rising to the challenge,'' Towns said about the committed country boy. ``He runs me at times,'' he said, laughing.
Bolden, a kinesiotherapy major who expects to graduate in December, has been an intern at the Y since the summer. His major involves the study of human muscular movements. Towns was immediately impressed with Bolden and let him organize the health fair. Bolden also is an assistant in the Y's Black Achievers Project, which honors high-achieving students who serve as role models to other children at the Y.
``He (Towns) said, `I'm gonna see what you're made of,' '' Bolden said. ``He gave me the project because he wants to see it take off.''
The Hunton Y is one of the nation's oldest black-run Y's. It is considering a merger with the predominately white South Hampton Roads YMCA because of economic problems. Towns said the health fair will be an opportunity to show that the organization is holding true to its mission.
The one-day festival also will feature a carnival and a ``Name That Tune'' contest. Hospitals will offer free health screenings and prize packets.
Bolden hopes to persuade people to build a healthier lifestyle. Regina Mobley, a WVEC-TV anchorwoman who has helped Bolden organize the event, also feels strongly about the issue.
``Being physically fit is what we all were a hundred years ago,'' she said at a recent Hunton Y board meeting. ``No one ate junk food, we lived in an agricultural society and people had a lot of physical activity.''
These days, she said, ``blacks live unhealthy, have poor diets and are not getting much physical activity. If we can get our parents healthy, then we can get our kids healthy.''
This isn't Bolden's first venture to help children since he's come to Norfolk. Last year, he worked with emotionally disturbed children at the Tidewater Psychiatric Institute. Although the experience was heartbreaking, he was reassured that the children had time on their side.
``Sometimes,'' he said, ``you actually leave the facility and know that the children will lead normal lives.''
Bolden wants to continue his connection with kids after he graduates. His goal is to be a physical therapist working in centers in black neighborhoods.
For now, he hopes his peers will join him at Y to be surrogate brothers or sisters for a day to children who may need role models. MEMO: Kia Morgan Allen is a junior at Norfolk State University, majoring in
journalism.
ILLUSTRATION: MOTOYA NAKAMURA
Staff
Gary Bolden, center, an NSU senior, is surrounded by children in the
day care program at the Hunton YMCA in Norfolk. Bolden planned
today's Healthy Kids and Parents Day at Hunton.
WHEN AND WHERE
Where: Chesapeake YMCA, 1033 Greenbrier Pkwy.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today
Phone: 547-9622.
Where: Chesapeake YMCA, 2100 Old Greenbrier Rd.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today
Phone: 366-9622.
Where: Hunton YMCA, Charlotte St., Norfolk
When: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. today
Phone: 622-7271
Where: Norfolk YMCA,
312 W. Bute St.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today
Phone: 622-9622.
this branch isn't holding their day until april 15
portsmouth high st branch not having it
Where: Suffolk YMCA,
2769 Godwin Blvd.
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. today
Phone: 934-9622.
Where: Virginia Beach YMCA, 4441 South Blvd.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today
Phone: 499-2311.
Where: Virginia Beach YMCA, 5660 Indian River Rd.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today
Phone: 366-0488
by CNB