Are you struggling to stick with your New Year’s Resolutions? Get inspiration and ideas on how to eat better, workout and maintain a healthier, more-balanced lifestyle at ECLC of New Jersey’s “Community Wellness Fair” on March 4.
The Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., welcomes everyone from the community, especially those with special needs, to check out dozens of vendors, sample food, enjoy performances and try their luck at winning random door prizes.
This free fair features plenty of kids’ activities, vendors, food, summer camps, doctors, and a special guest, basketball wizard Mighty Mike.
Mighty Mike, a basketball court jester and disability advocate, is a former Harlem Wizards player, who delights and inspires audiences with his basketball magic and upbeat message. A New Jersey hometown guy, Mike Simmel was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 2. He bounced back to become a three-year varsity starter, standout point guard and captain of the highly competitive basketball team at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey.
He played with the Harlem Wizards professional entertainment basketball team for 13 years. Since then, he has launched a career as an acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and the CEO and director of “Bounce Out the Stigma.” He has been interviewed on many television and radio shows, done more than 800 halftime shows and spoken at more than 300 schools throughout the country.
The idea for the Wellness Fair was inspired by ECLC’s concern about health and wellness and in particular how it affects our students and adult clients, who have special needs. ECLC is an accredited, nonprofit and serves children and adults diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
As the idea grew, it evolved into a holistic approach to wellness for everyone. The Mayors Wellness Committee of the Chathams will participate at the fair, as part of its dedication to helping community members maintain a healthy lifestyle. Committeewoman Victoria Fife is the council liaison to the committee.
“The Mayors Wellness Campaign is a state-wide initiative whose tag line is ‘Putting your Community in Motion,'” said Mayor Bruce Harris. “Chatham has been involved with this initiative since its inception almost 10 years ago. Our goal is to provide our residents with active living initiatives, that are both healthy and fun, to improve health and reduce the skyrocketing cost of health care.”
The Fair takes place at ECLC of New Jersey’s Chatham School at 21 Lum Avenue, which is directly behind the Chatham municipal building on Fairmont Avenue. For more information, please contact Wellness Fair Coordinator: Anne Fields (973-635-1700).