eugene ymca impact stories

Walk It Off engages community

The Eugene Family YMCA is thrilled to partner with Mix 94.5 to continue a decade-long tradition of encouraging movement, health and fun in Alton Baker Park every Wednesday throughout the summer: Walk It Off with the Morning Mix is now Walk It Off With the Y.

Terrie Pigeon and her sister Debbie Bolton are long-time Walk It Off participants and missed the exercise, camaraderie and festive atmosphere last year, when COVID-19 canceled the event for the safety of walkers.

“I love seeing my friends and family out there,” says Terrie, a 5-year Walk It Off participant who is not a Y member. “I am active anyway with my job as a housekeeper and caregiver, but Walk It Off is special because it is a dedicated walk just for me.”

Participants are welcome to walk as much or as little as they want and there are many different paths at varying lengths that can be taken from Alton Baker Park. Y fitness instructors also start and end the event with a Y mini-class to engage participants in different kinds of movement.

“We are so excited to be able to take this event on, especially this year when we want to walk off the social isolation from the last 18 months,” says Kim Miller, Health & Wellness Director for the Eugene Family YMCA. “Our staff are always excited to go beyond our traditional fitness offerings in our building and get out into the community to support health and well-being.”

July 20, 2021