Eden Emergency Squad launches free community wellness program

Few understand the importance of maintaining good health better than the members of the Eden Emergency and Rescue Squad.

To help promote wellness, the volunteer organization recently launched its “Healthy Living 2012” initiative, helping the squad save many lives before it becomes an emergency situation.

Every Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Eden Emergency Squad will host a free wellness program at the squad hall, located at 2795 East Church St., which will be open to residents of Eden and its surrounding communities.

“There will be a mixture of fitness and nutrition classes and cooking demonstrations,” said Kate Wastl, vice presidennt of the Eden Emergency Squad.

Wastl added that she hopes to include the occasional outdoor exercise class, such as a tennis lessson or a kayak excursion.

When Eden Emergency Squad Director Scott Hultquist first approached Wastl with the idea for Healthy Living 2012, it was originally designed to be a community-wide weight loss program.

“As we began talking to more people, especially the older people in the community, it became pretty clear that it was less important to lose weight and more important to keep moving and stay active and be healthy,” Wastl said. “This is not ‘The Biggest Loser.’ This is come as you are.”

Nick Duchscherer, of Eden, a physical trainer at Southtowns Fitness Center has volunteered to lead a group circuit training class twice per month for the program.

“It’s going to be a cardio class to get your heart rate up,” Wastl said.

Although circuit training can be challenging, Duchscherer will provide modified moves for inexperienced participants.

Wastl assured that each class will offer something for all ages.

Once a month, the program will include an informative nutrition lecture taught by Treo Sports and Fitness of West Seneca. Each nutrition class will offer a different topic.

The remaining Tuesday in the month is reserved for healthy cooking demonstrations and other fun activities, such as a Zumba dance class, mentioned Wastl.

The Eden Emergency Squad will provide water bottles, exercise mats and any other exercise tools the program calls for.

“The money that we raise from fundraisers to give back to the community will be used to sponsor this program,” said J.R. Osuch, squad president. He said that he hopes the program “inspires people to bring about a healthier lifestyle.”

Though working towards a healthy mind and body should be incentive alone to take advantage of the program, Wastl came up with a points-based reward system for hard working participants.

Attendees will receive points for each class they take. In addition, people have the chance to earn more points by participating in monthly challenges. For the month of February, participants will be asked to record how many steps they take in a day. In March, they will be asked to log their daily food intake. The top three who earn the most points will receive prizes.

“Everyone needs to be preemptive with their health,” Wastl said, adding that she hopes people take advantage of the service the squad is providing.

“I’m really hoping that people come out and just get moving.”

The next class will be a lesson on nutrition on Tuesday, Jan. 19. For a complete monthly schedule, visit the squad’s website at www.edenny.org/emergency.