State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, will host his second annual Health and Wellness Weekend Sept. 12-14, with an array of interactive events designed to promote awareness, encourage an active healthy lifestyle and connect 19th District residents with health resources.
The weekend will begin Friday, Sept. 12, with a free day for families at the Thelma Lovette YMCA, 2114 Centre Ave ., from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m ., including exercise classes, access to the wellness floor and information about the programs offered at the YMCA.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 12, there will be a business reception/mixer at the Lexus Club at the Consol Energy Center with the theme "The Economic Health of Our Communities," with free food and drinks. Partners for this event include the Hill Community Development Corporation and the New Hill District Business Association.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, there will be the 5K UPHill Walk/Run in the Hill District, which will begin at Freedom Corner, Centre Avenue at Crawford Street, starting at 9 a.m ., proceed up Centre Avenue, feature a turnaround point at Aliquippa Street, and finish back at Freedom Corner. Free parking will be provided at the Melody Lot (upper lot) of the Consol Energy Center starting at 7:30 a.m. An awards ceremony for the 5K will immediately follow the race at Freedom Corner, featuring free prize giveaways for 5K participants.
Registration and participant bag pickup for the 5K will be noon to 8 p.m. Friday at the YMCA and 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday at Freedom Corner. Participants can also register online at http://www.uphill5k.com.
Following the 5K is Rep. Wheatley's annual Community Appreciation Day at Kennard Field, off Reed Street between Kirkpatrick and Soho streets in the Hill District from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, featuring prize giveaways every hour, including $500 bill payments, electronics, game tickets and more.
Community Appreciation Day will also include healthy programming, free food, a job fair, line dancing and the "One Million Step Challenge" with DJ Roland Ford hosted by Step Pittsburgh, spoken word and step exhibitions, balloon animals, face painting and arts and crafts for children and live entertainment.
Partnering with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, and in connection with Hunger Awareness Month, Rep. Wheatley's office plans to host a food drive at this event and share healthy recipes. Attendees are urged to bring a canned or non-perishable food item to be donated.
On Sunday, Sept. 14, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m ., the Thelma Lovette YMCA will host a Health Expo for African American Living, offering free health screenings, vendors, cooking demonstrations, children's obstacle course, equipment and class orientations, the Pitt Mobile Science Bus, a live DJ and a mural painting for families and children. Attendees can learn from experts on how to live, eat, cook and exercise healthier and taste the healthy food from the cooking demonstrations. Free water bottles and pedometers will be available as supplies last.
Free prizes will be given away at the expo at 4 p.m. Centre Avenue will be closed from Erin to Kirkpatrick streets and parking will be on streets adjacent to the YMCA.
For the latest updates on these events, to volunteer at any of these events or for more information about the weekend, visit and "like" Rep. Wheatley's Facebook page -- http://www.facebook.com/RepWheatley -- or contact his office at 412-471-7760.