Time to Get Up & Go Celebrate!  May 10th

Law Day 2008 Run Biggest Ever!

Law Day Run 2008 Race Results

Freeburg Shows It's a Get Up & Go Community!

Village of Smithton Family Fun Day

Craig Virgin Says "It's Time to Get Up & Go!"

Belleville Animal Clinic to Offer Free Pet Health Screenings at May 10th Get Up & Go Celebration!

The Race For Character Is Back For Another Year

SWIC 2008 Summer Camps Announced

The sky was cloudy, the wind brisk and the air cold, but that didn't stop Law Day 2008 from having its biggest run ever.  With the Belleville Police and World Champion Craig Virgin leading the pack, nearly 500 adult runners and over a hundred youth ran in this 7th annual event.  The sun only emerged for a few minutes, right at the start of the race, but no one seem to notice.  Everyone was anxious to run and the parade of runners stretched for almost three blocks at the very start of the race. 

In just under 16 minutes and 5 kilometers later, the first of the runners crossed the finish line marking a very successful completion to the months of hard work and dedication that go into this run. (Click here to see full race results)  Each year the St. Clair County Bar Association sponsors the Law Day Run as a fund raising event for the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, which helps low-income persons through legal representation and education.  This year's run raised thousands of dollars for the cause.

While the more serious of the runners may have been the adults, hundreds of youth also participate in the race.  A 1K youth run and a fun run for the littlest are also part of the day.  Each participant in the youth and fun run receives a medal and the chance to meet Craig Virgin, a two time World Champion and Olympic distance runner himself.  Of course, there's also plenty of food and refreshments to go around.  Activities for the kids and health and information booths for the adults.  (Get Up & Go had an information booth at the event, and another dozen groups joined the cause for health and fitness in St. Clair County.)

Congratulations to everyone that participated in this year's run.  And a hearty thanks to the St. Clair County Bar Association and race directors Craig Virgin and Angie Vassen for their planning and sponsorship of this great annual event.  For some early pictures of the event, click here for one of our Get Up & Go slide shows.  More pictures will be posted as they come in.  If you have any of your own, please send them to us at Info@GetUpGo.info .

Just when we thought that this celebration couldn't get any better, the Belleville Animal Clinic has stepped forward and told us they will be offering free Pet Health Screenings at the May 10th Get Up & Go Celebration.  "WOW, this is incredible!" was all Bob Dahm, Principal of Belleville West High School (and co-host for this May 10th event) could say when told the news at a recent planning meeting.  "This is really going to be a great day."

Lifetime fitness and total wellness is a big theme for Dahm, and a major reason that he wanted to work with the Get Up & Go campaign.  We agree and we were thrilled when Dahm offered not only to share his sports field but to help make this entire celebration 'Pet Friendly'.  Sometimes we forget just how important our pets are to our own health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically.  For many, walking the dog twice a day is the chief source of our daily exercise.  But our best friends need to stay fit too. 

So, on Saturday May 10th, come to the Belleville West Campus and join in our celebration of fun, fitness and community health.  Bring Fido and Fluffy, Prince and Princess.  Get a free health screening for yourself and one for your best friend.  Enjoy the weather, the company, the fun demonstrations and activities for everyone.  Sample some food, or bring a picnic lunch and relax under the trees at the winery.  Play a little fetch or frisbee, walk the trails or go on a jog.  What's important is that you can do it with ALL of your friends.  Check out some of the events for the day on our Celebration-Activity page, and keep checking back for more additions and updates.  See you there!

“The Peterman and Stein families were among the first people we talked to about the Get Up & Go Campaign Sunday. They represent the perfect model of what this initiative is all about. They chose an active way to spend quality time together – playing ball in Freeburg Park,” stated Leslie Bilodeau, event organizer.
“When you first approached me with this idea, I thought it might fizzle out,” Mayor Ray Danford told Leslie, “but everywhere I went I saw signs advertising it. It’s great! I read material given to me by the county and I can help.” The mayor will go before the city council this week to ask for a proclamation making the month of April Get Up & Go month.
“The committee calls me the rural fitness focus. Since I live half way between Smithton and Freeburg, I focus my efforts here. I’m proud of my hometown. I want to recognize the efforts of our county and local government, and extend my thanks. As citizens, we have expressed a need for more free activities to keep us active and fit. The county has stepped up with this campaign, and our village governments are picking up the ball and running with it,” stated Bilodeau.
“Everybody benefits from Get Up & Go, but nobody profits,” Bilodeau explains. “We started with $2000 from the Scrivner Foundation. Since then the organizations, businesses and citizens of St. Clair County have stepped up to keep it going. Best Me, Inc. has paid for the expenses of organizing Smithton and Freeburg events, but it’s only a part. The Freeburg Tribune featured our articles. Tom’s Market gave us signage last week for our Smithton event. The villages of Freeburg and Smithton waived the fees for reserving pavilions at the parks. The principals at the Freeburg schools helped us get flyers out. And every local business gave us permission to hang signs. That’s what I call community support! Thanks to everyone who helped with the event, and everyone who participated in it. This is what it’s all about!”

Check out all the pictures in our slideshow and remember that photos from Leslies events can also be seen on her website www.BestMeForLife.com
Thanks Leslie for the Great Job you do!!!

Village of Smithton Family Fun Day

The clouds and cold air didn’t stop approximately 30 people from showing up at the Smithton Park on Sunday, April 27th for a day of family fun. In honor of the first Smithton Get Up & Go event, Mayor Lloyd Bush offered his support and congratulations by posing for photos with village residents.
Mayor Bush invited Leslie Bilodeau, President, Best Me, Inc., to participate in the July homecoming to spread the word about St. Clair County’s efforts to encourage people to become more active. Bilodeau spent time talking to the mayor and others about how to design and expand upon personal fitness programs.
“I’m passionate about fitness and I feel good about helping others.
Everybody benefits from being more active,” stated Bilodeau, a certified personal trainer.
“Anything we can do to make Smithton residents healthier has my blessing,”
Bush stated. The mayor agreed to attempt a proclamation that would designate April as Get Up & Go month in the village. He discussed the possibility of putting together a planning committee to make next year’s
events even better.  (For more pictures click here)
 

St. Louis Blues Join Get Up & Go

The St. Louis Blues front office has confirmed that they are joining the Get Up & Go Campaign.  And we are thrilled to have them!  Dan Kramer confirmed yesterday that the Blues definitely want to be a part of what's going on here in St. Clair County.  We'll surely have more details to follow, but the Blues have already informed the campaign that they will have representatives at the Get Up & Go Fitness Fair event on May 10th at Bellville West.  Without letting too much out of the bag, Dan said "We'll probably have a Shot-on-Goal activity for the kids (and adults?) along with some autographed equipment and other things to give away.  As for a player....well, stay tuned."  What a great opportunity for people to find out more about what's in store for our favorite NHL Hockey Team and to get a chance to 'make a shot'.  We'll be updating this story very soon!

Mark Peters, Dr. Rita Arras and Craig Virgin...Our Get Up & Go Leaders

Healthy Cooking is on the Menu for These Young Chefs!

Young Chefs Learn the Joy of Cooking (Slideshow)

Schools Sign Up to Give Get Up & Go a Great Start.

Communities Proclaim its time to GET UP & GO!!!

Annual Scrivner Dinner Provides Big Push to Get Up & Go  (Slideshow)

See the Pictures from Healthy Kids Day sponsored by the Downtown Belleville YMCA

Honorary Chairman and Hall of Famer Craig Virgin to Speak at Annual Health Foundation Dinner

See the 4th Annual Scrivner Dinner Slideshow

Even Man's Best Friend Wants You to... Get Up & GO!!!

The American Cancer Society has joined the Get Up & Go Campaign.

Communities Proclaim its time to GET UP & GO!!!
Village of East Carondelet Helps Lead the Way

Kick-Off a Chilly Success

Get Up & Go... to the SWIC Belleville Campus

Volunteers Build New Playground Extension at Whiteside.

See the Whiteside Construction Slideshow

Name the Mascot Contest Begins!!!

Local Scout Troops Make Get Up & Go a Big Success!!!!

See the Scouts Slideshow

Medical Alliance Gives $1,000 to Get Up & Go!

Illinois Distributing Donates Signs,Banner for Campaign

County Board Chairman Proclaims April 2008 Get Up & Go Month!

Get Up & Go Kickoff Event set for Saturday March 29th, 2:00pm at SWIC Belleville Campus

Check Out our Picture Gallery from the Kick-Off

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