5 Things: Drug Take Back Day, Healthy Kids Day, ‘Mulch for Money’ & More

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Editor's note: Five Things You Need To Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. If you know of something happening in town that did not make our list, please add it in the comment section!

1. Expect a Sunny Weekend in Foxborough

Saturday’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. South wind 5 to 8 mph.

2. Hockomock YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is Saturday at Patriot Place

The Hockomock Area YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day with a free community event on Saturday, April 27th at Patriot Place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event encourages kids to be active and provides families with options and methods for living healthier. This will be the first time all the Hockomock Area MYCA branches will join together to form one big event.

Activities will take place at the NRG Plaza at the lower level concourse outside The Hall at Patriot Place.

“Our Y’s promise is to help strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility," said Hockomock Area YMCA President Ed Hurley. "We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are, what they can achieve, and how to grow up active and healthy."

Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, is being celebrated by 1,900 YMCAs this year. The event encourages healthier behaviors through exercise and nutrition. The event aligns perfectly with the Hockomock Y’s Healthy Futures initiative, a program committed to reduce inactivity and poor nutrition in the 15 communities served by the Hockomock Area YMCA.

“Our Healthy Kids Day helps reinforce the importance of our Healthy Futures initiative and will encourage kids and families to get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier lifestyle. We’re grateful to Patriot Place for partnering with us to host the event this year and are proud to be collaborating with our community partners and organizations. We look forward to welcoming kids and families for a day filled with fun and creative healthy activities for everyone,” said Hurley.

The day will feature active play and educational activities including BOKS (Build Our Kids’ Success) activity bursts, bouncy houses, a DJ, dance party, Y camp activities, a kids boot camp, imagination station, nutrition & active games, science experiments, gymnastics, golf, slime making, tattoos, and more. Prizes, raffles, coupons, goody bags, and YMCA passes will also be part of the day.

Community partners include Stop & Shop, the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Healthy Futures Initiative sponsor, as well as participating Patriot Place businesses including Bass Pro Shops, Brigham and Women’s/MGH Health Care Center, Life is Good, Reebok, Tastings, and Trader Joe’s.

Other community partner participants (as of April 19) include CBS Radio, Cyclo-Cross, Dock Dogs/Team 21, Dorel, The First Tee/MGA Links, Green Schools Education, Mansfield Community Garden, Milford Hospital, New York Life Insurance, Norwood Hospital, Pediatric Dental Health Care, Safe Routes to School, and Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day this year and to host the event. Patriot Place is proud to be associated with such an innovative, mission-driven Y. Both organizations have a shared vision and commitment to bring people and families together. Healthy Kids Day will be a great event and we look forward to seeing the community there to participate in a free fun, active day,” said Brian Earley, general manager of Patriot Place.

Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year.

On April 27, YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.

3. National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

Children can begin a lifetime of drug addiction by simply opening the medicine cabinet at home. Misuse of prescription pain relievers has been linked to opiate addiction such as heroin.

Nationally, one in five teens in grades 9-12 report abuse of a prescription medication at least once in their lives, according to the 2009 Partnership for a Drug Free America.

In Foxborough, teens in grades 9-12 reported abuse of prescription medications, including taking pain relievers (11.7 percent), tranquilizers (6.6 percent) and stimulants (16.2 percent) not prescribed for them by a doctor at least once in their lives, according to the 2010 Communities that Care Survey.

Proper disposal of pharmaceuticals protects the environment and protects the community. On Saturday, April 27th, the Foxborough Board of Health is sponsoring a National Drug Take Back Day – a free medication take back and disposal program.

The program will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the McGinty Room of the Foxborough Public Safety Building.

Medications being collected:

• Old or unused medications including over-the-counter or prescriptions in all 
forms including pills, creams, liquids and sharps.

For veterinary medications, 
follow these simple steps:

• Keep medications in original containers and black out personal information from label

• Ensure medication name and dosage is visible

• Count the pills remaining in advance

NOTE: Thermometers will not be accepted. Any/all personal information will be kept confidential.

4. Patriot Place Events:

Here’s what’s happening around Patriot Place this weekend:

(Saturday) - 10 a.m. - Airbrush Tattoos: Body Art Temporary Airbrush Tattoos Located on the NRG Plaza for YMCA Healthy Kids Day.

(Saturday) - New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union: Come see the New England Revolution take on Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium.

(Saturday) - Playin' Dead and the Peacheaters at Showcase Live: Playing Dead is a Boston, MA based Grateful Dead tribute featuring former members of Dark Star Orchestra, Slipknot! and Uncle John's Band.

(Saturday) – 9 p.m. - Zach Lockwood at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill: Zach Lockwood is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter who blends the honesty of modern country with the contagious energy of rock and roll.

5. Chace Building Supply to Host ‘Money in the Mulch’ Contest Saturday

Welcome spring to your life by joining Chace Building Supply as it hosts its first “Money in the Mulch” contest.

In an attempt to bring some fun and excitement to the community - and say goodbye to the long winter - 10 lucky participants will dig through a huge pile of mulch on Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for their chance to win some great prizes. One lucky person will win a $500 gift certificate to Chace Building Supply and have the opportunity to spruce up their own environment.

Along with watching contestants dig thru the mulch pile and find the buried $500 gift certificate, 94 HJY and Paul Fuller will be on-site giving away prizes. Food and refreshments will be served, so Chace welcomes the community to come on down and join them on Route 1 for lunch on Saturday.

If you would like to participate in the event and dig through the mulch for your chance to win, register now at www.94HJY.com keyword CHACE. There will also be walk-in registrations that will be chosen at random. Rain date is May 4. The event will be outside in the Chace parking lot. The day promises to be fun and exciting.

Since opening in Foxborough in 1986, Chace Building Supply, Inc. has been serving homeowners and commercial contractors in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for all their building material and home improvement needs. Whether you are remodeling a kitchen or bath, adding a deck, or need tools and materials for a job, Chace’s friendly staff will provide you with extensive product knowledge and expertise.

Throughout their history, they have established themselves as one of the most efficient and successful building suppliers in the area, serving Foxborough, Wrentham, Plainville, Norfolk, Franklin, Walpole, and many other surrounding Massachusetts and Rhode Island towns.

Chace maintains a well-stocked inventory of lumber, tools and hardware products, millwork, roofing supplies, siding, flooring, lawn and garden supplies, paints and stains and outdoor play sets.