The third annual HEAL Day is being held Tuesday, May 4, and everyone is invited to tune in.
This year’s free event will be held virtually from 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. This action-packed 15 minutes is aimed at inspiring children and adults to embrace healthy behaviors that fuel academic performance and workforce readiness.
Participants include Governor Kay Ivey, American Idol star Taylor Hicks and students across Alabama.
Register for free online here to receive the event link and watch any time. The event will also be held live on Alabama Public Television on May 4 at 10:00 a.m.
HEAL Day is hosted by Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) United, a nonprofit organization founded by Christy Swaid. A lifetime of advocacy and strong Christian faith led to HEAL United’s creation.
Swaid is a six-time world champion professional jet ski racer and the winningest female in the history of the sport. She was named a Yellowhammer Woman of Impact in 2018.
“As a follower of Jesus, I was taught that it was my duty to use my abilities to benefit a greater good,” she has explained. “The overall focus of HEAL is to change the culture of health, paralleling to bottom-up and the top-down economics. In terms of bottom-up, we are able to educate adults and win households over to better health through the children. With regard to top-down, HEAL education for adults and college students cause children to gain role models and the added support they need to practice healthy lifestyle behaviors outside of school. This full circle education system reinforces health for the whole family and community. The multiple advantages that follow these interventions include enhanced academic performance, workforce readiness, and overall quality of life. Additionally, HEAL helps prevent diseases and or manage preexisting conditions which takes strain off the healthcare system. Lastly, healthy, educated adults are more competitive in the workspace which supports a stronger economy. As the parable in Matthew 25 underscores, the Lord expects His servants to work hard and be good stewards of finances. Health for the purpose of being a productive citizen and serving the greater good with energy and joy pleases the Lord.”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
