One of the most important lessons parents can pass along to their children is a love for an active lifestyle. Physical fitness has the power to not only benefit individual bodies but the well-being of an entire community. If that love is instilled in youth, it's a gift they and those around them will keep receiving for their entire lives.
Help inspire your family and your community to make activity a regular part of their lives at AdventHealth's Cycle the City | Ride to Wellness, presented by Corporate Synergies. This fun, family-event encourages bike riders of all ages and all skill levels to get moving, and it's all for a great cause -- fighting childhood obesity.
On Sunday, Nov., 1, riders will have the opportunity to choose bike courses at a variety of distances, including 10, 20, 30, 60 or 100 miles. For our younger riders, there will also be a free family fun ride. All rides start and finish at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute, located at 2501 North Orange Avenue in Orlando. The finish line will also serve as the backdrop for the Foundation Family Fun Fest. We invite your entire family to join us from 9 am to 3 pm to cheer on the Cycle the City riders and to enjoy family fun, food and games.
For our riders, celebrate the arrival of Florida's gorgeous fall weather with a bike ride that will take you from downtown Orlando to the gentle, rolling hills of Lake County. All courses have been designed by the world-class cycling professionals at David's World Cycle in Orlando.
Whether you're gearing up for the 100-mile course or the family fun ride, the entire day promises to surround families in camaraderie, examples of how fun exercise can be and inspiration to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Not only will the event provide instant motivation to families who attend, long after the final rider crosses the finish line, it will continue to benefit kids throughout Central Florida. All proceeds from the event will help children between the ages of 2 and 18 fight obesity through AdventHealth for Children's Mission: FIT Possible program.
Childhood obesity is an epidemic that's striking communities throughout the country. Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has tripled. In Florida, 34 percent of our kids are obese, and at the same time, health and fitness programs are being slashed in our schools. The Mission: Fit Possible program is focused on promoting health and wellness and provides resources for parents, children, healthcare professionals and schools. The program's health edutainers travel to schools throughout Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties to introduce fun, interactive health and wellness programs focused on Food, Mood, Move and Recharge.
For the past three years, the Mission: Fit Possible team has worked closely at Fern Creek Elementary School and it's having a tremendous impact on the students. Of the kids who've completed the program, 94 percent exercise more; 96 percent are sleeping better; 92 percent report eating less sugar and 95 percent report eating more fruits and vegetables.
"It's really exciting to see that what they're learning at school, they're bringing home to teach to us," says Rebecca Farmer, whose children attend Fern Creek. They're asking to be active. They're telling us about how important sleep is. They want to keep moving."
"The Mission: Fit program is extraordinary. A lot of our kids live in food deserts, so we want them to learn how important fresh fruits and vegetables are to their diet," says Fern Creek Elementary Principal Patrick Galatowitsch. With the rise of childhood obesity leading to adult obesity, we see great importance in teaching our children healthy food habits and good nutrition.
Whether you're riding or attending the Foundation Family Fun Fest -- or both! -- we invite you to help celebrate the generosity of supporters like you who've helped us reach new levels of excellence and extend the healing ministry of Christ throughout the world and here in our own backyard through AdventHealth Foundation-funded programs like Mission: Fit Possible. Bring your family as we celebrate the many ways your support has enriched the lives and experiences of those we serve.
Visit FHCycletheCity.com to register for the 10 mile, 20 mile, 30 mile, 60 mile or 100 mile bike rides. All registrants will be entered in a drawing to win an Apple Watch Sport! Fundraising is encouraged but not required and additional perks, such as cycling jerseys, will be given for reaching certain fundraising levels.
To get your free ticket to the Foundation Family Fun Fest, RSVP to
Call407-303-2916.
