Bradenton Riverwalk a bustling playground for Manatee YMCA's Healthy Kids Day

BRADENTON -- It was all about helping families Saturday at the Manatee YMCA Healthy Kids Day on the Bradenton Riverwalk.

YMCA representatives said they were thrilled with the turnout estimated at more than 5,000.

"Today is just about promoting healthy families from children to adults," Lisa Strutt said. "So, a lot of vendors here are health conscious."

Children played while adults were loaded with information, resources and available community services at the local version of the national event.

It provided more than just typical health information. Some were introduced to concepts they never even knew existed such as birth doula services.

"There are people who have no idea what I do," Angela Campano said. "That, to me, is exciting and sad."

Doulas provide women nonmedical physical and emotional support during their pregnancies, births and afterward.

"The hospitals have completely overtaken women's instincts," Campano said.

Through her service, she hopes to change that by helping woman find their best birth experience.

"I'm there to pamper them and make them feel relaxed," Campano said. "I don't want any woman to feel alone."

Unlike what people may expect from a doula, Campano doesn't just work with midwives. She also won't work with just any doctor.

"I'm pro doctor who's pro woman," Campano said.

She looked at her youngest daughter, and said her growth started far before she was born.

Campano said she started her business, Your New Birth, about a year ago.

"My second birth, 10 years ago, I had a terrible doula," Campano said.

She promised herself then, when she was done raising her children, she would help other women have a better birthing experience.

"One of the best births I did, was a husband-and-wife team," Campano said.

Julia McNeillie, 10, said she was excited as she waited patiently in a long line for one of the rides. She also enjoyed visiting the vendor booth, she said.

"They had snacks and they had a pet adoption," Julia said. "That's where I got my cat from."

Her mom heard about the event, she said, and thought it would be a good way to spend a Saturday. Julia agreed.

Additionally, there were representatives from all three Manatee YMCA locations: Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish.

Those who attended could partake in ballet, Zumba or Surfset -- some of the more than 100 classes offered at the centers. Whole Child Manatee officials were there making sure people knew they are an available resource -- to help put them in touch with other community resources.

"This allows us to reach out to a population that is not usually in the neighborhood," said Kim Ross, an adviser with Whole Child Manatee. "Typically people think of low-income families a certain way."

That's not the case, she insists.

For the children, one activity involved tracing their hands and decorating the drawings. All hand drawings were collected to be hung in the state capitol in November for Children's Week, which provided Ross with a unique opportunity.

"I can load them up with pamphlets," Ross said. "They know it's less intrusive."

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 10:40 PM with the headline "Bradenton Riverwalk a bustling playground for Manatee YMCA's Healthy Kids Day ."