Sunday, 29 November -0001 19:03

New Nonprofit Promotes Healthy Habits to Saratoga County Youth

Written by Yael Goldman

SARATOGA SPRINGS- November 11, 2011, marks an important day for the family of David "Taylor" Miller, a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. It would have been his 21st birthday.

"I remember him talking about it," said Suzanne D'Iorio, co-founder of Taylor's Heroes and aunt to the organization's namesake. "I'll turn 21 on 11/11/11, he'd say." To commemorate the occasion, the family is doing a lot more than having a birthday party.

Partnering with Taylor's mother, Leslie, the two grieving women are turning their loss into the community's gain in the form of Taylor's Heroes, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote fitness and nutrition to the children of Saratoga County and provide a service that Taylor himself would have utilized.

"Taylor was an overweight child," D'Iorio said. "The only thing that really motivated him to get in shape was the army and that wasn't until he was 18. He lost more and more weight in boot camp and was in the best shape of his life."

Finding that motivation, a sport or activity that a child can identify with, is one of the organization's main goals.

"Kids who don't feel comfortable joining competitive sports or who have low self- esteem fall between the cracks," D'Iorio said. "We introduce them to multiple options, like yoga and weightlifting, to see if they can find one they like. It is a non-competitive environment."

With unintimidating athletics and the guidance of a professional nutritionist, Taylor's Heroes helps children to develop healthy, lifelong habits and fulfills an essential, previously unmet, community need. According to the 2010-2013 Saratoga County Public Health Community Assessment, Saratoga County Unmet Needs' section, physical activity and nutrition were ranked as the "top priority" and obesity was identified as a major health concern.

The evening will also include a cash bar and silent auction. For more information about the fundraiser and ticket prices, visit http://taylorsheroes.com/main/home.html.

With the New York State Department of Health reporting almost 15 percent of the county's children as obese, an organization like Taylor's Heroes is a perfect starting point for Saratoga County.

And Taylor's birthday is the perfect day for a formal debut.

On November 11, 2011, celebrate Veterans Day by honoring a true veteran's birthday- and join Taylor's Heroes for their inaugural fundraising event: A Guitar Hero Fundraiser. Attendees will receive the rock star treatment, with paparazzi, red carpet and the women from Fusion giving Rock Star makeovers.

Read 24321 times Last modified on Monday, 28 January 2013 14:18

Media

NULL

Blotter

  • Saratoga County Court  Kathleen M. Callanan, 62, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 1 year in local jail, after pleading to felony grand larceny.  Cassandra R. Barden, 38, homeless, was sentenced to 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration after pleading to felony attempted assault, charged in Milton.  Ashley Vetrano, 35, of Glens Falls, pleaded to felony robbery, charged in Moreau. Sentencing May 23.  Gabrielle Montanye, 63, of Stillwater, was sentenced to 5 years probation, after pleading to felony attempted identity theft, charged in Ballston Spa.  Daniel J. Koenig, III, 53, of Round Lake, was sentenced to 2 to 4 years incarceration, after…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 12 Aspen Dr to Shaun Scott for $596,673 Sunmark Credit Union sold property at 15 17 & 19 Main St to Landmark Holdings 2023 LLC for $240,000 CORINTH Gary ONeil sold property at 115 Hollister Dr to Aaron Schips for $345,000 GREENFIELD Jeffrey Fuller sold property at 4 Lanie Dr to Jacob Brooks for $221,700 Bernice Moeller sold property at 395 North Creek Rd to Devin Vernon for $270,000 MALTA  Maureen Weise sold property at 13 Pepperbush Pl to Robert ONeill for $245,000 MECHANICVILLE Robert Murphy sold property at 406 Park Ave to…
  • NYPA
  • Saratoga County Chamber
  • BBB Accredited Business
  • Discover Saratoga
  • Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association