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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Claire Barton
831.462.7864
Claire.Barton@DignityHealth.org
SEQUOIA HOSPITAL PARTNERS WITH REDWOOD CITY SCHOOLS FOR ANNUAL
MAKE TIME FOR FITNESS EVENT
REDWOOD CITY, CA (May 21, 2015) – Today, 9-year-old Mikaela Sargis learned why tobacco is not
a healthy choice, that yoga is actually lots of fun, and what vegetables fresh out of the ground look like.
"I know it's important to exercise and not play video games too much, and to eat healthy and not go to fast
food restaurants. I'm excited to learn more about health today," said Mikaela, a fourth-grader at Clifford
Elementary School.
Mikaela is one of more than 1,000 Redwood City School District fourth graders who attended the 15th
annual Make Time for Fitness field trip at Red Morton Park in Redwood City. The event, a partnership
between Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital, the Redwood City School District Wellness Committee, and
several other community organizations, aims to educate children on healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
The interactive program featured five activity stations:
 Drink Water First, teaching students to drink water rather than sweet beverages when they are
thirsty.
 Friendship Fitness, with games focused on teamwork and cooperation.
 Fit Fun Yoga, demonstrating that movement and breathing is good for health and well-being.
 Farmers Market, with information on fruits and vegetables available locally.
 Tobacco-Free Me, highlighting some of the 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco products.
More than 300 teachers, parents, and representatives from community-based organizations volunteered at
the event. Students enjoyed music during the lunch break courtesy of local radio station Wild 94.9.
“Make Time for Fitness has the potential to shape the health habits of our local children for years to
come,” said Marie Violet, director of health and wellness at Sequoia Hospital. “What makes the event
really special is the spirit of collaboration behind it. Together as a community, we are teaching students
that the healthy choices they make can have lasting positive impacts.”
Make Time for Fitness at Red Morton Park is a collaboration between Sequoia Hospital and community
organizations: Redwood City School District; Sequoia Healthcare District; San Mateo Health System;
San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition; Sodexo Education; City of Redwood City Parks,
Recreation, and Community Services; University of California Cooperative Extension; Carlmont High;
Sequoia High School; Woodside High School; Safe Routes to School California; Redwood City 2020;
and the Redwood City School District Wellness Committee.
About Sequoia Hospital
Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital is an accredited, not-for-profit community hospital providing innovative
and exceptional health care for generations of Bay Area residents. Sequoia’s Heart and Vascular Institute
is a nationally known pioneer in advanced cardiac care, affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic Heart and
Vascular Institute. Sequoia has received national recognition as one of America’s top 100 hospitals, as
well as for superior patient safety and cardiac care from Healthgrades. The hospital has been voted “A
Family Favorite Best Birth Center and Best Hospital” by readers of Bay Area Parent magazine for five
consecutive years. In 2014, Sequoia received the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines
Silver Award for stroke care. Sequoia Hospital’s new Pavilion opened to patients in October 2014. With
the addition of the new Pavilion, Sequoia is one of the most advanced health care facilities in the Bay
Area. To learn more, please visit our website: www.SequoiaHospital.org
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