Annual Event Promotes Police-Community Partnerships, Health and Wellness
On Wednesday, July 24, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurance plan, Healthfirst, hosted Bronx Harmony Day at Oscar Comras Memorial Park. For the past eleven years Healthfirst has been a proud—and major—sponsor of Harmony Day, which was started nearly 30 years ago to give young people in the Bronx a chance to interact and form relationships with police officers. In addition to taking part in a variety of fun activities, 4,000 children enrolled in local camp programs and church groups also learned about the role of physical activity in supporting a healthy lifestyle.
“Harmony Day not only brings our community together but stresses the importance of having health coverage so that our youth and their families can have access to care and live healthier lives,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I want to thank the New York City Police Department and Healthfirst for bringing this event to our borough and for the commitment to improving our borough`s health infrastructure so every resident, regardless of their zip code, has access to patient care.”
“Bronx Harmony Day has been around for many years. This year we wanted to bring this event to our beloved Bronx Park East Community and give our children a day full of fun, laughter, and physical activities to keep them healthy and energized,” said event organizer Carolyn Cruz, NYPD Lieutenant. “We are so very grateful to have the support of our sponsors, for this wouldn’t be possible without them. It’s nice to have organizations like Healthfirst, World Vision, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and so many more with the common goal of keeping our children happy and healthy.”
“Healthfirst knows the impact we can make when we join forces with community partners to benefit our young people,” said Miguel Centeno, Vice President of Community Engagement at Healthfirst. “Having a local presence and serving the needs of residents has always been at the heart of our mission. We are proud of our continued relationship with the NYPD.”
Special guests that attended 2024 Harmony Day in the Bronx include: