Congratulations to the VanSchaik family, winner of the 2008 YMCA of Greater St. Louis Healthy Family Award

The VanSchaiks, members of the Edward Jones Family YMCA in Maryland Heights, are great role models of healthy living. Vic and Angela bring their two children, Christian and Sofia, to the YMCA to go swimming and play in the gym on a regular basis and view this family time as key to living a healthy lifestyle. Both parents have found that regular exercise and healthy eating have helped them recover from past illnesses and injuries. The children see their parents’ example and also enjoy exercising and eating fruits and vegetables.

The VanSchaiks are not only healthy in body, but in mind and spirit, as well. The family is supportive of each other, whether it’s Vic swimming laps with Sofia or Christian teaching his little sister to be a star soccer player. They also volunteer in the community together on a regular basis. Recently, they led the Adventurer Club in their church, a program designed to help children experience anything from zoo exploration to nursing home visits to outdoor campfires. They also were involved with CHIP (Coronary Health Improvement Program), which was offered through their church for the community.

As winners of this year’s award, the VanSchaiks received six months of free membership to their YMCA, a weekend stay at Trout Lodge, awards they can display in their home, and their photo appears on the front cover of the YMCA’s fall program brochure.

To learn more about how YOUR family can be healthy together, visit the YMCA’s Healthy Family Home web page at www.healthyfamilyhome.org.