Music superstar 50 Cent and the G-Unity Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for low-income and underserved communities, hosted Forever Young in Queens, NY, on Saturday, June 26 at the Baisley Park Extension.
The event brought together children, parents, celebrities and community leaders to focus on healthy living and preventing childhood obesity.
Credit/Copyright: Christina Poletto CINCH Publicity
“I have always been a staunch advocate of a healthy and active lifestyle especially for kids,” said the rapper. “Through the G-Unity Foundation, I wanted to give the children of my childhood community a day where they can go outside into the fresh air and enjoy physical activity, healthy food and fun. This day is about celebrating the excitement and freedom of youth in active and healthy ways.”
Credit/Copyright: Christina Poletto CINCH Publicity
50 Cent’s goal is to spark the interest of children and educate them at the same time in a fun and engaging environment. Areas in the park will be dedicated to activities such as break dancing, relay races, batting areas, double dutch and hop scotch, a tennis clinic with the Arthur Ashe Foundation and much more.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, overweight and obesity in children are significant public health problems in the United States, mostly caused by a lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating patterns. The number of adolescents who are overweight has tripled since 1980 and the prevalence among younger children has more than doubled. In 2006, Mr. Jackson was part of a campaign against the increasing epidemic that many of our youth face. The numbers are staggering and bringing awareness and hands on information to parents and their children is imperative.
The G-Unity organization was joined on the day by numerous partner organizations that are also committed to improving the quality of life for youth. In addition to the Arthur Ashe Foundation, partners include the You Can Go to College Committee, the Nicole Paultre Bell “When Its Real Its Forever” Organization, Waves of Health and more.
Special guests included the Sean Bell Little League Team, Councilman Leroy Comrie, Dorita Clarke of The You Can Go To College Committee, Nicole Paultre Bell and others.
The G-Unity Foundation is renowned in the community for creating the G-Unity Scholarship Fund at Queensborough Community College and issuing thousands of dollars in grant money to various non-profit organizations. The Foundation also honored and celebrated student recipients of this year’s Scholarship program at the event.
