Pres conducts Days of Service

For the sixth year in a row, Presbyterian Healthcare Services held multiple Days of Service throughout the month of October to help New Mexico kids learn how much fun it can be to stay active and eat healthfully.

Part of Presbyterian’s commitment to improving the health of the New Mexicans the organization serves, the annual tradition brought more than 500 Presbyterian staff and leaders to 27 schools across the state — serving nearly 10,900 children in central New Mexico alone — as well as to health fairs and food pantries.

“Day of Service fits in perfectly with Presbyterian’s purpose to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Leigh Caswell, director of Presbyterian Center for Community Health. “It is an amazing chance for us to share our community health priorities of healthy eating and active living with children across the state. And spending the day dancing and learning with kids is just incredibly fun.”

This year, most schools in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho participated in dancing, stretching and fun activities related to healthy eating.

At other sites, Presbyterian staff tailored activities to focus on areas such as bullying prevention.

The Day of Service visit with Presbyterian Rust Medical Center staff is always a great experience for kids at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary in Rio Rancho, said principal Janna Chenault.

“Every year we look forward to Presbyterian’s Day of Service,” Chenault said.