Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined local community leaders and representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to cheer on area youth participating in their own “Olympics” and to promote the importance of physical activity. Presented by the Springfield Youth Collaborative and inspired by the Olympic Games in Rio, this fun summertime event features 200 local youngsters and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 18 at Blunt Park.
Mayor Sarno said, “I am very appreciative of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s healthy living community efforts. This is a great event to showcase the meaning of the Olympics through good healthy and fun youth development recreational initiatives. Also, it’s good to see many of our community centers collaborating together.”
“The South End Community Center is extremely thankful to Blue Cross Blue Shield and Mayor Sarno for their continued support and commitment to the youth of our community,” said SECC Executive Director Chea Swan.
Young members of the South End Community Center, the Boys & Girls Club Family Center, the YMCA of Greater Springfield, and the Y’s Dunbar Family & Community Center are going for the gold in competitions that include a Bean Bag Toss; Egg, Potato Sack, and Relay Races; Flag Football; Sock Wrestling; Basketball; and much more. These organizations have formed the Springfield Youth Collaborative to develop communitywide strategies, policies, and programs to support all youth and youth services in the City of Springfield.
Jeff Bellows, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship & Public Affairs for Blue Cross, said, “We’re excited to sponsor these games because they fit so well with our focus on helping people thrive through healthy activity, healthy eating, and healthy environments. Blue Cross has a long history of participating in community projects in Springfield. Looking to the future, we’re proud to extend that support by contributing $10,000 to help the Springfield Youth Collaborative begin its work.”
