NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX (KTRE) -
A sea of runners flocked to Pecan Park
in Nacogdoches in support of two important causes.
Healthy Nacogdoches and CASA of Deep
East Texas partnered together for the Lighten Up East Texas Weight Loss
Challenge and CASA 5k Fun Run.
"You want to be healthy in your
physical being but you also want to be healthy in your emotional being,"
said Rebecca Carlton, Executive Director, CASA Deep East Texas.
11 counties and 20 Nacogdoches organizations
are participating in the regional weight loss challenge, before runners left
the starting line they weighed-in to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
"In Nacogdoches about 60 percent
of our residence are overweight or obese and so we're trying to reach those
people and to improve our health and reduce risk," said Kinnie Douglas,
Healthy Nacogdoches.
The winners of the challenge will be
decided by percentage of weight lost. Healthy Nacogdoches Program Coordinator
Kinnie Douglas says since 2007 the coalition has been working to improve the
health of the first town in Texas.
"From our smoke free ordinance here in
Nacogdoches , to improving our trails and our side walk system and just
creating a healthier community for people to live in," said Douglas.
CASA helps children in Nacogdoches,
San Augustine and Shelby counties, officials hope that Saturday's kick-off will
benefit the health of the community but also children in need.
"We have about 200 children right
now in our custody in those three counties and about 70 volunteers who are
speaking for them in court. We hope that when people see this they want to
learn more about those kids and how they can help them, its really a good
partnership for total health," said Carlton.
The Lighten Up East Texas Program last
until May 4th, to sign up visit www.healthynacogdoches.org .
Copyright 2012 KTRE. All rights reserved.
