Moody children celebrate Earth Day through Fitness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The youth center was filled with music and laughter during an Earth Week presentation held April 18 at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

An Earth Day related Zumba session was held at the youth center as part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative to help decrease childhood obesity.

"We put together an Earth Day presentation to show kids how to exercise and have fun," said Christina Walker-Potts, a Zumba instructor. "There are too many children today, who are used to staying indoors watching TV, movies and playing video games. They don't get out enough and move around. This is a fun way to get them moving.

"We also want to encourage people to be an example for the children by eating healthy and exercising," she added. "You have to take care of yourselves to be able to take care of the environment."

In addition to the Zumba session and presentation at the Youth Center, Moody hosted numerous events on base and in the local community, including a presentation at W.G. Nunn Elementary School.

"We usually visit schools in the local community to reach out to them for Earth Day," said Elvis Lane, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron environmental specialist. "I think it is important to show them what we are doing to protect the environment on base. We hope to spread the word and work with them so we can sustain the environment together."

Earth Day was first observed on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring. Today, it is celebrated in more than 175 countries by 500 million people. In many communities, a whole week is dedicated to celebrating and creating awareness of protecting and conserving the Earth's natural resources.

"We want to improve the environment around us, where we work and play every day," said Lane. "We also want to have a sustainable environment so when our children and grandchildren grow up, they have a clean environment."

As part of creating awareness, Lane and Bill Fowler, 23d CES environmental compliance supervisor, set up a display in the Base Exchange to hand out information and souvenirs.

"We want to promote the Air Force theme of 'Conserve today. Secure tomorrow,'" said Lane. "Our main goal is education. We are really trying to push the idea of sustaining and protecting the earth by taking care of our land, water, air and ourselves."

By combining Earth Week celebrations and the Let's Move initiative, Team Moody hopes to arm the next generation with the knowledge necessary to sustain a healthy life and environment.