BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – Southern West Virginia has its share of chronic diseases and poor health outcomes.
We can offset that by moving our bodies — Active Southern West Virginia can help.
“They can learn something new, try a new activity, have access to equipment,” said Executive Director Melanie Seiler. “And it’s helping to improve health and social connections. So they have great social support through participating in activities.”
Active Southern West Virginia is packed with things to do, there are more than 100 free activity programs in September 2024 alone. And that’s ranging through various counties… Fayette and Raleigh; Kanawha has the most programs. There’s also Webster, Nicholas, Mercer and Boone County.
“We have a website calendar that lists everything and keeps it up to date,” Seiler said. “We also have a mobile app so you can have an online membership with us and be able to check your phone and your app and see what’s close to you and be able to sort what activity you want to go to.”
Della Bennett first got involved with Active Southern West Virginia before COVID.
“I walked with a walking group around the soccer field, down over the hill to the mill, and then that kind of got sidetracked,” said the Beckley resident.
Whatever your fancy — you’re sure to find an Active Southern West Virginia activity you want to get involved in.
“Tai Chi, what we’re here today to try out is arthritis-based programming. So it’s a gentle movement. It’s gonna help with strengthening and balance and coordination,” Seiler said. “We have running groups, walking groups, hiking, biking, aerobics classes. We are just finishing water aerobics for the summertime and stand-up paddleboarding. But we’ll get into more pickleball and indoor aerobics classes.”
It’s always great to have supportive community partners who allow volunteers to use space for the programs. The Salvation Army is an Active Southern West Virginia venue partner. There’s also the Midland Trail Community Center, Fayette County Memorial Building, and other businesses.
“Parks and rec and city and county parks around the region. Our state parks, our national parks,” said Seiler. “Our army corps of engineers at Summersville Lake. So the venue partners are vast and great to support this programming.”
The executive director loves meeting people and how they support each other in healthy lifestyles and friendships.
“People who are very passionate about West Virginia and where they live,” she said. “They take pride in where they live and they want us to be a healthy community.”
Bennett tried Tai Chi for the first time and says she loves keeping active.
“Everybody’s super friendly, nice, nice facility,” she said. “And I’m just glad to have something like this here in Beckley.”
TO LEARN MORE
https://activeswv.org
