Release Date: August 13, 2010
Contact: Elizabeth Luna, Social Marketing and Media Liaison, Communities Putting Prevention to Work Initiative/207-5373
Metro Health and Spectrum Athletic Clubs Promote Increased Physical Activity with Bicycle and
Club 
Membership Giveaway
In an effort to encourage increased physical activity among Bexar County residents, Metro Health and Spectrum Athletic Clubs recently awarded bicycles, bike locks, bicycle helmets and three (3) family club memberships to local community members.
The bicycle winners were Maria Arredondo and her two sons, Omar and Raul, and Mr. & Mrs. Pazos. Three separate winners received Spectrum one-month memberships. Winners were selected from a drawing that was held at the National Council for La Raza conference this summer. The goal is to encourage physical activity.
Increasing physical activity in Bexar County is one component of Metro Health’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant. The $15.6m federal stimulus grant was awarded to Metro Health in March 2010 to address obesity in Bexar County.
Metro Health Director Dr. Fernando Guerra said addressing the health and wellness of Bexar County is vital. “We recognize that this is one of the most important public health initiatives for our entire community,” he said. “And we know that increased physical activity will serve to promote the good health and well-being of our current and future generations as it relates to risks for conditions like obesity and its
adverse health consequences. “
“Having an exercise support system helps people start and stick to an exercise program,” said Jeff Skelton of Spectrum Athletic Clubs. “That’s why we wanted to award three lucky families with family memberships to our clubs.”
Over the coming months, Metro Health and the Office of Environmental Policy plans to develop bike share and Ride to Own bicycle opportunities across the city where residents can access more than 3,500 bicycles. San Antonians can earn free bicycles by attending bike safety and maintenance classes and by riding loaned bicycles a designated number of times.
“Getting physically active is one path to improved health,” adds Dr. Bryan Alsip, assistant director of Metro Health. “We’re on our way to getting healthier one pedal stroke at a time.”
(Photo - From left to right: Maria Arredondo, Raul Arredondo, Omar Arredondo, Dr. Fernando Guerra, Dr. Bryan Alsip, Rafaela Pazos & Mr. Pazos)
