Activate Elgin’s “March into Health 2015” will kick off with a Health and Fitness Expo which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at The Centre of Elgin.

“Last year was our first Health Expo, and it was so well received we decided to make it this year’s kickoff event,” said Randy Reopelle, parks and recreation director for the city of Elgin. “It was great meeting families that were excited about finding ways to improve their health.”

The Expo is free and will include many vendors and organizations sharing information on how to make the healthy choice the easy choice. It will also include seminars and presentations, including the keynote speaker, former Chicago Cub Jody Gerut.

The Health and Fitness Expo is the kickoff event for the fourth annual March into Health, a month-long series of programs and activities offered throughout the Elgin area promoting physical activity and healthy eating. “We are very concerned about the health of our residents,” said Mayor David Kaptain, “and it has been proven that the best way to be healthy is through physical exercise and eating properly. I want to encourage all Elgin residents to participate in the March into Health activities so they can reap the rewards of good health.”

Presented by Activate Elgin, March into Health will feature 37  programs and activities that residents can participate in between Feb. 28 and March 28. These activities will be offered at various times and partner sites throughout Elgin.

Details of all the activities can be found on a flyer that can be downloaded from the Activate Elgin website — activateelgin.org — or picked up at any of the partner facilities.

Activate Elgin is an initiative to engage all sectors of the community to work in harmony providing all residents with opportunities to improve their health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Partners include Kane County Health Department, Northern Illinois University, Judson University, Gail Borden Public Library, School District U-46, Presence St. Joseph Hospital, Advocate Sherman Hospital, South Elgin Parks and Recreation, Elgin Parks and Recreation, Taylor Family YMCA, Elgin Community College, Well Child Center, Greater Elgin Family Care Center, Dance it Off, Open Door Clinic, Shared Harvest Food Cooperative and Chiro One Wellness Centers.

CREDIT: Major League Baseball