Pafford EMS of Oklahoma recently donated 10 safety vests in varying sizes to support the Wednesday Walking PALs program of Volunteers for Youth. The program kicked off on Wednesday, September 13th, with Claremont and Stuart Roosa Elementary students and adult and high school walking PALs/mentors. The program is designed to encourage physical activity and increase interest for walkability in our community neighborhoods. “We are extremely grateful for the donation of the safety vests from Pafford,” said Celina Davis, PAL Project Director. “The safety of the students and mentors as they walk was one of our primary concerns and Pafford’s generosity helps us tremendously,” added Davis.
“At Pafford EMS we see a lot of medical emergencies that stem from patients not having healthy lifestyles. We are so pleased to support mentorships that help kids understand from an early age the benefits of having fit bodies and curious minds,” said Ben McFarland, Clinical Education Coordinator for Pafford Medical Services of Oklahoma.
Celina Davis, PAL Project Director with Pafford’s Clinical Education Coordinator, Ben McFarland
The weekly walks will occur on Wednesdays until November 15th and will resume the Wednesday after spring break and will continue through the end of the school year. The Walking PAL mentors focus each week on a talking topic as they walk and the first week’s topic was centered around the importance of being in school every day. Other topics will cover things like good grades, good classroom behavior, healthy eating, moving more and the dangers of tobacco. The group mentoring concept involves screened adult community members, high school students and Rogers State University students.
The TSET Healthy Living Program of Volunteers for Youth provided crosswalk stop signs, banners, meeting location signage and other printed materials for the Wednesday Walking PALs program. “Because our HLP Team is focused on increasing physical activity, improving nutrition and educating on the dangers of tobacco, this project aligns perfectly with our goals and we are delighted to be able to provide support in this manner,” said Alyson Short, TSET HLP Lead Project Director.
The Wednesday Walking PALs group for Claremont meets at 7 am on the bus parking lot for First Baptist Church on the north side of Will Rogers Blvd. The Stuart Roosa Elementary group meets at 7 am on the east end of the St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church parking lot.
The groups plan to have “celebrity” walkers join on National Walk to School Day October 4th such as Hunter the Hillcat, the superintendent, the City Planner and perhaps the City Manager and Mayor. To get involved as a mentor, please contact Celina Davis at Celina.d@volunteersforyouth.com or 918-343-2530. To enroll your Claremont or Roosa student, pick up a form in the school office.
