Get Fit Selma will have an update and promotions rally on Aug. 20 at The Coffee Shoppe on 308 Broad St. from 5:30 – 7 p.m.

“We will mainly talk about some of the new things we have added,” said Stephanie Hamm the event organizer “We will have fliers, posters and the list of businesses that we have traditionally approached about having a poster at their business, so we want to update them on the things we have recruited.”

Hamm said another new item they will discuss is the 5K race,” said Hamm. “The normal price of entry is $25 and $15, but if churches or schools or athletic departments want to put together a team between five and 10 members, they get a price cut. We want to make sure everybody knows that.

“Our goal is to make an event that makes Dallas County healthier,” Hamm said.

Added events include Ellen McKnight, a wellness educator and coach, and founder of The Maxine Firm.

Double Dutch Aerobics also will be at the event, and the Birmingham VA RV, which screens area veterans also will be at the event.

Human hamster balls also will be at the event.

This year, the free day-long event will take place Oct. 20.

“It’s an extension of a health fair that Dr. Bruce Taylor put on for seven years,” Hamm said. “[Taylor] asked a group of us that were on the Board of Directors for McRae Learning Center if we would take it on as a community service to the community of Selma and as a fundraiser for McRae.”

However, even with all the fun things in store, Hamm said the most important part of the event is the health education.

“It’s a way to address, in a fun, but educational way, the primary disease groups that threaten Selmians and residents of Dallas County,” she said. “Those are hypertension, diabetes, type 2 diabetes and they are aggravated by obesity and an inactive lifestyle. That is what we’re trying to address.”

Eventually we want to build an environment of healthy activity, healthy eating and understanding the importance of being active in order to prevent the life-threatening diseases,” Hamm said.

The schedule of the events includes the following:
8 a.m. Defeat Diabetes 5K Run and Community Fun Run registration opens at 6:30 a.m.
8:15 a.m. community one-mile fun run/walk
9 a.m. Free Health Screening
9:30 a.m. health education and vendor fair and Let’s Move Kid’s Challenge
10 a.m. exercise and fitness expo
11:30 a.m. healthy food happening
1:30 p.m. B.O.S.S. Youth League Basketball Tournament at the School of Discovery.