Mary J. Donohoe School receives national honor
In celebration of its founding by the American Heart Association and Clinton Foundation in 2005, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation recognized hundreds of the nation’s leading schools – including Mary J. Donohoe Grammar School in Bayonne – industry leaders, corporate partners and others at its annual Leaders Summit from Oct. 2 to 4 in Washington, D.C.
Physical education teacher Mike Penn represented Mary J. Donohoe.
Ten years ago the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association partnered to address childhood obesity. The result of that partnership, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, is celebrating creating healthier environments for more than 20 million children across the country.
The Alliance’s 2015 Leaders Summit spotlighted the organization’s effort in reducing childhood obesity, including the nearly 400 schools receiving the Alliance’s National Healthy Schools Awards. The Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program reaches more than 17 million students, by working with more than 30,000 schools.
“The schools have distinguished themselves with healthy eating and physical activity programs and policies that meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Healthy Schools Program,” a spokeswoman said.
The award-winning schools come from more than 30 states, and more than 75 percent serve high-need student populations (defined as more than 40 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program).
Evidence of the effectiveness of the Healthy Schools Program was published in the CDC’s Preventing Chronic Disease, which found that meaningful participation in the program is linked to reductions in the prevalence of obesity among students in high-need schools.
City health fair rescheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15
The city of Bayonne’s health fair has been rescheduled to Thursday, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Fitzpatrick Park, on Avenue C between 26th and 27th Streets.
The event will offer Bayonne residents health screenings, health information, diabetic teaching, and other services. There will be free testing for blood lead level, HIV, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Participating groups include healthcare-related organizations, public agencies, and nonprofit services.
In the event of rain on Oct. 15, the health fair will take place on Friday, Oct. 16 at the same location and time.
For more information, call Bayonne Health Division Clinic nurses at (201) 858-6140.
Local real-estate agents put the give back into Thanksgiving
As part of its ongoing “Caring for the Community” program, the real-estate agents and staff members of RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty are collecting food and funds for its 7th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Drive, with the goal of feeding 70-75 families this year.
Last year, the office put together more than 70 meals for area families in need, from turkey to stuffing, potatoes and pie, with help from friends, family, local business owners, and clients.
To ensure each family receives the same complete Thanksgiving dinner, an easy-to-follow grocery list was created to make it easy for people who want to do the shopping themselves. For people who can’t do the shopping, financial donations are welcomed and will be used to purchase as many additional Thanksgiving dinners as possible.
Nonperishable food items and/or donations can be dropped off at RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty, 306 Washington St. in Hoboken, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Donated turkeys (whole, frozen only, please) labeled “RE/MAX Turkey Drive” can be dropped off Monday, Nov. 23 at Pilsener Haus Biergarten, 1422 Grand St., 9 a.m. to 11a.m.
For more information, contact Karen De Jesus, RMGC director of operations, at (201) 795-5200 ext. 316, or karen@hobokenproperties.com.
All invited to celebrate Halloween at the Meadowlands
Celebrate this ghoulish time of year on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, in the Meadowlands.
There will be games, crafts, and activities throughout the evening, including hayrides and Halloween stories in the Witch’s Den.
The guided “Creepy Creatures of Halloween and Why They’re Not So Bad Once You Get to Know Them” spooky walk is suitable for children ages 5 to 12, when accompanied by an adult. “Throughout the walk, kids will meet bats, cats, spiders, and other spooky creatures,” promises spokesman Brian Aberback. This guided walk lasts about 40 minutes.
The cost is $8 per person. Registration and advance payment are required and can be made online only. Register at njsea.com.
“Sign-up for your Spooky Walk time slot and come early to enjoy all the fun,” Aberback said.