COMMUNITY TRADITION OF WALK IT OFF WITH THE Y BEGINS MONDAY, JUNE 24
The Y continues beloved summer tradition for health and wellness with new community partner booths, raffle prizes and celebrity appearances!
Eugene, Ore., June 18, 2024 – The Eugene Family YMCA is thrilled to partner with PeaceHealth to bring Walk It Off with the Y, a community-wide tradition of encouraging movement, health and fun, to Alton Baker Park every Wednesday throughout the summer.
“We can’t wait to kick off this summer’s amazing weekly walking event,” said Kim Miller, Health & Wellness Director for the Eugene Family YMCA. “While the opening of our new Y in December has increased our ability to serve more people in our community than ever before, Walk It Off has always been our way of reaching beyond our facility walls to improve the lives of everyone, particularly those who don’t feel comfortable in a traditional fitness center. We are particularly excited to bring our new Y on Wheels truck to Walk It Off to showcase how we are driving health and wellness across Lane County!”
Walk It Off, a free event open to anyone in the community, draws participants who come to any one of the 10 Wednesday night walks, which start in Alton Baker Park by the shelter. This year, Walk It Off will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from June 26 through August 28 with options for guided or independent walks.
New this year is a pre-party on Monday, June 24, at the new Y, 600 E. 24th Ave. PeaceHealth will be there to giveaway free bike helmets and Oregon Paddle Sports will be giving away free lifejackets to kids!
To showcase the fun of physical activity, each week will have a theme:
MONDAY, June 24: Get pumped at the Pre-Party!
June 26: Let’s kick it at the LAUNCH PARTY
July 3: Show your spirit with SPORTS FAN DAY
July 10: Be colorful with TIE DYE DAY
July 17: Everyone joins in for FAMILY DAY
July 24: Dust off your cape for SUPERHERO DAY
July 31: We can’t keep a lid on CRAZY HAT DAY
August 7: Show your support with CANCER SURVIVOR DAY
August 14: Bring your four-legged friend for the DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
August 21: You may need shades for NEON DAY
August 28: Bling it on for our CLOSING CELEBRATION
Olympic Gold Medalist and 2014 University of Oregon grad Phyllis Francis will be at the Walk It Off Launch Party on June 26 with Hunter Communications!
Phyllis is an American and Collegiate indoor 400-meter record holder, and she won the Gold at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the 4x100 meter Women's Relay. Stop by and meet an Olympic Gold medalist!
Walk It Off with the Y’s Title Sponsor is PeaceHealth, a not-for-profit Catholic health system that offers care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska, and promotes personal and community health. Just like previous years, PeaceHealth staff and volunteers from different departments throughout the organization plan to bring educational health & wellness materials to the event—a different department will be featured each week.
“PeaceHealth wouldn’t miss another year of Walk it Off with the Y,” said Susan Blane, PeaceHealth Oregon’s Director of Community Health. “This event is a friendly way for families and individuals of all ages to step outside, get their bodies in motion, and enjoy the company of friends. It's the perfect opportunity to embrace the beauty of Eugene summer evenings, stay active, and create lasting memories. Whether you're young or young at heart, you'll find joy in joining us and relishing the camaraderie!”
In addition to PeaceHealth, sponsors that make this event possible are 99.1 The Beat and KMTR 16 News, which provide promotion and other support for the event, and Hunter Communications, Slocum Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, the city of Eugene’s Parks and Open Space department, Eugene Magazine, Bigfoot Beverages and McKenzie Sew On.
Registered participants will receive Walk It Off t-shirts and have the chance to win raffle prizes each week.
Media Contacts:
Beth Casper
Marketing & Communications Director
Eugene Family YMCA
541.686.9622 ext. 1403
beth@eugeneymca.org
Megan Jessup-Varnum
Marketing & Communications Manager
Eugene Family YMCA
541.686.9622 ext. 1404
megan@eugeneymca.org
About the Eugene Family YMCA
The Eugene Family YMCA is one of the region's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each year across Lane County, the Y engages more than 18,000 people regardless of age, gender, income or background—to nurture the potential of children, teens and seniors; improve health and well-being; and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA has been serving the Eugene-area since 1887.
