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Midvale Journal

Seventh annual Sombrero Walk places emphasis on healthy lifestyles

Jun 18, 2018 03:51PM ● By Julie Slama

Families participated in the seventh annual Sombrero Walk, a summer kick-off for healthy lifestyles. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

By Julie Slama | [email protected]

Griselda Hernandez has two children attending schools in Midvale and knows it’s important to keep them active this summer. 

“My son plays soccer, and my daughter is always active,” said the mom that participates in Zumba. “It’s important to be healthy.” 

That is part of the reason Hernandez took part in the annual Sombrero Walk, where about 40 participants — parents and young kids — recently walked from Midvale Elementary to Copperview Elementary and back. 

“It’s a great way to meet new people and be involved in some amazing activities with the schools,” she said. 

The walk, which included participants from East Midvale, Midvale, Sandy and Copperview Family Learning Centers, also featured Renato Olmedo, the community affairs representative from the Mexican consultant who spoke to the crowd about the importance of healthy choices. 

“Education is important, and so is your health,” he said. “A lot of our food gives us really high blood pressure as we use a lot of salt and sugar. We need to change the way we cook, and we need to encourage our community to get out and exercise. Go outside. Go hiking. We’re only 20 minutes away from the mountains. Or go ride a bike — always with your helmet — and encourage your kids to get off Nintendo, websites and YouTube.”

Family Learning Center Specialist Mirna Lundquist, who organized the walk, said she encourages her kids to walk five times around the block or shoot 50 baskets or goals every day. 

“We want to just get everyone to be exercising this summer and be active,” she said, adding that it is called a Sombrero Walk as to stress the importance of wearing hats with the summer sun. “Everyone is wearing a hat, as too much sun isn’t healthy.” 

Olmedo also stressed the importance of sunscreen, drinking water instead of soda and the need for health insurance. 

“It’s part of our outreach so people know the opportunities there are in our community and can get the help they need for health and education,” he said, adding that with language and cultural barriers it’s good that this event engages and educates the community. 

He said Ventanilla de Salud is a health outreach for anyone, which is available at the consultant’s office, 660 South 200 East, near the downtown Salt Lake City library. 

Copperview Community School Facilitator Jenna Landward also said nearby Copperview Recreation Center has several summer activities for families offers financial scholarships as well as have a medical clinic and food bank for the community. 

The Family Learning Centers offer free community classes in English, computers, financial literacy, citizenship, healthy relationships, ukulele and other subjects.