Golden Valley shows how the environment affects health at Earth Day event

Through games and activities, residents and students in the south Merced area learned what it means to “go green” on Friday during Golden Valley Health Centers’ Earth Day celebration.

The clinic health system held its eighth annual Earth Day event at its corporate office at 737 W. Childs Ave.

Patients and an estimated 500 students from local schools learned about water conservation, air pollution, recycling, saving energy and alternative transportation through activities such as planting seeds, relay games and crafts.

Students had the option to plant peppers, potato and spinach seeds. They took part in a fishing game meant to teach them how to care for wildlife. They also learned why riding a bicycle to and from school or taking public transportation is good for the environment.

The goal, according to organizers, was to teach the community how the environment can affect health.

“Whether we are talking about the quality of our air and water, or the safety of our neighborhoods, taking care of our community matters,” said Tony Weber, Golden Valley’s CEO, in a press release about the event.

Representatives from the Merced Bicycle Coalition, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., and the city of Merced were also present to share information and resources.

UC Merced student volunteers ran a face-painting booth, and the Merced/Mariposa County Asthma Coalition provided health education information.

According to Golden Valley, the event was also an extension of the work it has done to be more environmentally friendly. Golden Valley Health Centers is part of the air district’s Healthy Air Living Partner Program.

The clinics have installed recycle bins and “paper exchanges,” which encourages employees to reuse paper.

The clinics also have an underground irrigation system that reduces water use and water filtration systems that reduce the use of disposable plastic water bottles. Parking lots are labeled “No Idling Zones” and employee carpool parking spots have been added.

The clinics have also implemented a bicycle subsidy program – Employees are reimbursed up to $200 for bike expenses when they commit to riding their bicycles at least one day a week.

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Golden Valley shows how the environment affects health at Earth Day event."