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C's Instill Health and Fitness Values Upon Roxbury Youth

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ROXBURY, Mass. – Boston Celtics players Avery Bradley and Chris Babb, assistant coach Jay Larranaga and mascot Lucky teamed up Monday evening for a surprise visit to the Roxbury YMCA. The local youth earned the visit as a result of the hard work they put forth during the Fit to Win program, powered by Sun Life Financial.

The Fit to Win program is an extension of a season-long diabetes prevention initiative launched in November with the #SunLifeDunkforDiabetes campaign. Through the program the Celtics, Sun Life Financial and the YMCA have combined efforts to educate youth in the greater Boston area on the importance of pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle.

The second session of the program launched at the Roxbury YMCA in April. At that time, the youngsters at the site were challenged to a four-week workout and dietary plan. Along the way, the participants were incentivized with Celtics prizes – such as hats, T-shirts and basketballs – to keep them motivated toward reaching their fitness goals.

The visit on Monday evening started off with a health-conscious activity where children were tasked with creating a fruit sculpture to appeal to the appetite of an NBA player.

“Any time we get the chance to come out and hang around kids and give them a positive influence, it’s always a good feeling,” said Babb, as he watched the youth work together to build their creations.

At the completion of the activity, the VIPs signed an autograph for each of the participants before heading into the gym for a high-energized pep rally.

Conversations at the pep rally were framed around the importance of a well-balanced diet and exercise.

“I changed my eating habits,” said Bradley regarding his nutrition upon entering the league. “I no longer eat fast food or snack on junk food. I’ve learned how important it is to take care of my body.”

Lucky then spoke briefly about his training schedule before showing off the benefits of sticking to a routine exercise plan through his acrobatic dunk show.

“With diet, with exercise, with getting the right amount of sleep the body needs you can do and be anything,” said Larranaga.

Participants then took the opportunity to speak on the physical differences felt after the four-week program and the elements they planned to carry over into their day-to-day routines.

“It is really important for kids to learn nutritional values early,” explained Larranaga, “and for us to be a part of that educational process … I think it’s great!”