Free Health Fair at the Bob Sierra Family YMCA to be Held Saturday

The Bob Sierra Family YMCA at 4029 Northdale Blvd. is opening its doors to members and non-members alike from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow for the fifth annual health fair.

There is no admission fee, although some of the vendors participating require a fee for their tests and services including the cholesterol screening, metabolic testing and bike fitting, while others are complimentary.  

“We’ve are always looking for ways to give back to the community," said Wellness Director & Risk Management Phillip Newman. "This is just one way we can open our doors and let our neighbors know that we’re more than just a fitness facility.  We coordinate youth sports activities and have a licensed pre-school after-school program and special needs program on site."

The fair – which attracts approximately 400-500 attendees each year – also provides the Y with an opportunity to showcase some of their own programs such as their Diabetes Prevention Program and Cancer Survivor Program, which launched last week in partnership with Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG organization. 

In addition, several personal trainers will be on hand to measure body fat analysis, and swim evaluations will be held at the aquatics table for those interested in taking swim lessons or water fitness classes, or joining the Tampa YMCA Swim Team or the Developmental Swim League.   

Non-members are also encouraged to participate in one of the Y’s group exercise classes while they are at the fair at no charge. 

Florida Blood Services’ Bloodmobile will also be on site, and those who give blood will receive a free long-sleeve T-shirt as a thank you for their donation.

Vendors were invited to participate free of charge, but the Y happily accepted donations in lieu of a registration fees, with all proceeds benefiting their "Give Kids A Chance" charity. 

This annual campaign provides financial assistance to families residing within a five-mile radius of the facility, who are unable to afford membership or participation fees. 

Despite the campaign’s name, scholarships are awarded to community members of all ages.  Last year alone, the Bob Sierra Y distributed approximately $700,000 worth of scholarships to residents of Carrollwood and Northdale.

“We receive multiple requests each day for financial assistance, and especially in these economic times, it is a blessing for us to be able to give back and help these families in need," said Development Director Mercy Powell. "We are proud to be a charity that donates 100% of the proceeds right back into the community."

The following is a list of participants scheduled to appear at the Health Fair:

• Carrollwood Bike Emporium (promoting bike safety)
• Doctor Radice Family Chiropractic (spine alignment and recognition, free)
• Express Bike Fitting (professional bike fits, $25 fee, pre-registration required)
• La Verda (chair massages, free)
• Med Express (blood pressure screening, free)
• National Metabolism Testing Services, LLC  (metabolic testing, $50 fee, pre-registration required)
• Physiotherapy and Associates (flexibility testing, free)
• St. Joseph’s Hospital (cholesterol screening, $30)
• The Running Center (running gait analysis, free)
• The Yogurt Spot (yogurt samples, free)

For more information on the Bob Sierra Family YMCA and its programs, call (813) 962-3220 or log onto  http://www.tampaymca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=85.