EARN A BIKE PROGRAM

30 Deserving Whittier Elementary School Students to Receive New Bikes from the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA

Due to state budget cuts, physical education classes at Whittier Elementary school in Costa Mesa have been limited to one hour of class every other week. This lack of exercise in combination with poor eating habits has created an epidemic of child onset obesity and diabetes in our community. Therefore, the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA board of managers in collaboration with the Children's Hospital of Orange County and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, have created the 'Earn a Bike' program at Whittier Elementary School. This is a free program which hosts thirty (30) third grade students and their parents in a health and wellness program consisting of 8 weeks of health and wellness class instruction and a weekly nutrition class taught by a Children's Hospital of Orange County Children's Endocrine and Diabetes Services instructor. Parents of these students must attend 2 out of the 8 nutrition classes and their children must attend 6 out of the 8 nutrition classes and 28 out of the 32 health and wellness classes. To date, the students have had perfect attendance. Students that satisfy their requirements were awarded with a new bicycle, helmet and lock at their graduation ceremony hosted by the YMCA at Whittier Elementary School on December 9, 2011. The YMCA board of managers plan on creating a mentoring program within the 'Earn a Bike' program where graduated students continue to participate in the classes to mentor new, in-coming students and to continue practicing the healthy habits they've learned in the program. Click here to view the article on the Daily Pilot.

The YMCA would like to thank the sponsors and volunteers of this program: the entire YMCA Healthy Lifestyles Committee, the advisors and staff at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, South Orange County Complex, Olive Crest, Stuart Hennessey, Complex Business Development Officer, Lance Million, Complex Manager, Randy Combs, owner of Chronic Tacos, Children's Hospital of Orange County and board members Dr. Jenna Flowers, Dr. Mike Hattan and Mr. Thomas Mooers.

The Newport Mesa Family YMCA Board of Managers is currently raising funds to support on-going semesters of the 'Earn a Bike' program. Any interested donors, please contact Director of Development, Arianna Yanez at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you.