‘Egg-Stravaganza’ set for Saturday in Spa City
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Leslie Miller helped create Taylor’s Heroes in 2011 in memory of her son, who died in Afghanistan at age 19.
Throughout the school year, Taylor’s Heroes offers a 14-week fitness and nutrition program for children ages 8 through 18 at the YMCA.
“Taylor lost a lot of weight to join the Army, and he was very dedicated to getting in shape, and he did a great job of that,” said Leslie. “He never looked or felt better about himself. He always was a gregarious kid anyway, but then he had the confidence to move out in the world in a way that he felt like he wasn’t apologizing for anything.”
After Taylor died in 2010, Leslie and her sister, Suzanne D’Iorio, thought of a way to honor him. They decided his weight loss made a real difference for him.
“There are so many aspects of [weight]. You talk about bullying and how you don’t fit in with all of the kids and all of the ways that can go so badly,” said Leslie. “I was fortunate that he had the personality that it didn’t become something where he became resentful or totally negative. We just thought that if we could reach people, the kids and the families, that we could make a difference, get them educated at least in a way that they can go on their own and make some
progress in terms of their health and their nutrition.”
The program is free for children to join.
“We look for great kids like Taylor who are stuck in their bodies and aren’t sure how to change. They’re also intimidated by gyms and competitive sports and therefore avoid them,” said Leslie in a press release. “Overeating as a response to not fitting in only perpetuates the problem.”
Saturday Taylor’s Heroes will host its annual “EggStravaganza” at Congress Park from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Easter Bunny will make an appearance, while children will be able to hunt for thousands of Easter Eggs. Additionally, games, a silent auction, face and nail painting will be available inside Canfield Casino. Tickets are $10 for children 2-12 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by visiting brownpapertickets.com by 5 p.m. Friday. Mayor Meg Kelly will be making an appearance, too.
“It is truly my honor to be the Mayor of Saratoga Springs at events like these: supporting our local not-forprofits and enjoying the incredible families of Saratoga Springs and the surrounding areas.
Taylor’s Heroes is the legacy of one of our own Saratoga Springs High School graduates, whose family has taken the importance of health and wellness to the children of our community,” said Kelly. “This event supports Taylor’s Heroes’ exhaustive efforts while providing a day of fun for the whole family.”
Currently, about 10 children meet Thursdays for the 90-minute program. The first hour consists of various exercises. A health coach provides tips following the exercises, teaching children how to pick the right foods to sustain energy, how to understand food labels and finding the right balance of food consumption.
“The whole idea behind the charity is to help children get fit and learn the basics of nutrition while they have a lifetime to enjoy the benefits,” said Leslie.
Over 100 children and their families have been through the program since its inception.
“To see kids come to the program apprehensive, and then see them leave energized and motivated still gives me a thrill every time,” said Executive Director D’Iorio.
For more information about Taylor’s Heroes, visit https://www.taylorsheroes. org/