Free Family Health and Wellness Expo Oct. 4

Submitted by the La Grange Business Association.

Over 40 local health and wellness experts will gather for the 2015 Family Health and Wellness Expo on Sunday, October 4 from 9am - 2pm at the North Campus Field House of Lyons Township High School, 100 South Brainard Avenue, according to the La Grange Business Association (LGBA), the event organizer.

Now in its second year, the free expo has doubled in size and changed venues to showcase local businesses and community organizations involved in all aspects of wellness including physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, environmental, occupational and financial.

Participants will have the opportunity to get tips from practitioners in fitness, finance, massage, nutrition, chiropractic, acupuncture, elder care, alternative medicine and green lifestyles.

Several guest speakers will provide information and motivation on how to keep families healthy with topics like: “Weight Loss Over 40” by The Hit Locker; “Stress Management” by MacNeal Hospital Immediate Care; “Youth/High School Athletes - Developing Speed, Strength & Power” by RightFit and “The Power of the Paw in Dementia” by BrightStar Care Chicago - Berwyn.

The day begins at 9am with a one mile outdoor Family Fun Run/Walk in support of mental health. Opening ceremonies will pay tribute to Ben Silver, 22, an outstanding former athlete at Downers Grove North High School who recently lost his life. A Crossfit workout of the day will be held at the half-mile mark as well as soccer clinics to test skills.

Fun Run/Walk participants are asked to donate healthy cereal or other non-perishable items for a local food pantry and/or make a financial contribution to one of the mental health organizations present that day. Online advance registration for the fun run is suggested at signupgenius.com.

Inside the fieldhouse gym, expo attendees of all ages are welcome to participate in free classes in yoga, Zumba, meditation or a mini athlete combine with vertical jump. There will be free face-painting for kids.

A blood drive by Lifesource will also be held on-site. Appointments are encouraged and may be made in advance at lifesource.org/UP10. Participants should bring an ID.

Attendees will have the opportunity to win a Family Fun Pack valued at $500 and other prizes from local businesses and attractions. There will be many free samples and goodie bags while supplies last.

The Gold Sponsors of the 2015 Family Health and Wellness Expo are: The HIT Locker, MacNeal Hospital Immediate Care, Right Fit and The Grove of La Grange Park. Other sponsors include: (r)evolution architecture, Absolution CrossFit, Aging Care Connections, Ashland Health Pharmacy, Chicago Health Medical Group, Community Nurse Health Center, The Dental Loft, FocusOM, Get in Shape for Women, Oasis Women’s Fitness and Spa, Orange Theory Fitness, Plymouth Place Senior Living, Rupsis Soccer Academy, Celtics Soccer Club and Satko Oral Surgery.
Experts estimate that if Americans don’t change their eating and exercise habits, every third child in the United States will have Type 2 diabetes by the time he or she is 20 years old.

“Our goal is to help educate, inspire and motivate families to live healthy and positive lives,” said Gioia Giannotti, the Health and Wellness Committee Chair for the LGBA. “We want to bring a wide variety of community resources together in one place to raise the awareness of how many amenities and opportunities are available in and around La Grange that encourage healthy living.”

More details and a schedule of events may be found at lgba.com.