Erin Calmon knows how important it is to be safe and healthy.

That is why the 7-year-old from Brick was able to flip a man more than twice her size onto the mat-covered floor of the gymnasium at Ocean Road Elementary School in Point Pleasant.

The man was Master Kim, an instructor at Kum Sung Martial Arts in Brick, and Erin, who has studied martial arts for almost three years, is one of his students. Kim, Erin, and several other students demonstrated their skills during a Kids Day America program held May 14 at the school.

The free program, founded 11 years ago by Drs. Stuart and Theresa Warner of Point Pleasant, is a special day dedicated to children's health, safety and environmental awareness.

"It's important to be strong and healthy," said Erin, who is a pre-black belt. "Karate gives you discipline and makes you strong."

Taylor Schell, 11, of Brick is a first-degree black belt who has studied karate for six years.

"Karate has given him the confidence to walk away from people who might try to bully him," said his mother, Lorrie. "He's not shy anymore."

Dancers from Rhythms Dance Academy in Point Pleasant also performed throughout the afternoon.

The Warners, who are the parents of 3-year-old Sydney, and 11-month-old Skylar, said they created the special Kids Day program as a way for families to learn how to keep their children safe and healthy.

Stuart Warner said that 2,000 cities throughout the world now hold a similar event, which is sponsored by local chiropractors.

(PHOTO: ED CURRY, SPECIAL TO THE PRESS)
Joelle Smargiassi (foreground left), 3, is fingerprinted by Sgt. Michael Colwell of the Point Pleasant police as Matthew Jamieson (background left) and Brenen Barone, both 7, look on.

INFO
Kids Day America was started 11 years ago by Drs. Stuart and Theresa Warner of Family Chiropractors in Point Pleasant. The free event on May 14 at the Ocean Road Elementary School in Point Pleasant focused on children's health, safety and environmental awareness with a good dose of fun added to the mix. Jonathan Lipnicki, a 14-year-old child actor who starred in "Stuart Little'' at the age of 7, signed autographs for children. Lipnicki is a celebrity spokesman for Kids Day America. For information about the event sponsored by chiropractors in 2,000 cities throughout the world, visit www.childrenswellness.com or contact the Warners at (732) 295-0707.

Jonathan Lipnicki, an actor who starred in "Jerry McGuire," "Stuart Little," "Stuart Little 2," "Like Mike," and his most recent, "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town," spent the afternoon in Point Pleasant mingling with families and signing autographs. Lipnicki is the celebrity spokesman for Kids Day America.

The actor told his fans that his uncle, Dr. Russ Rosen, of Maui, Hawaii, is a chiropractor, and he has received chiropractic care since he was a baby.

"It really works. I receive chiropractic treatment for my allergies (to grass and mold)," said Lipnicki, 14. "It's important to keep your spine healthy and adjusted because that whole area controls your nervous system.

"Did you know that you can be a better athlete if you are under chiropractic care?" Lipnicki asked numerous children as he autographed the videos, hats and autograph books they brought with them.

The Warners and their staff conducted spine and nervous-system screenings, as well as offered information about health and nutrition.

"Chiropractic adjustments can help restore function, and if your child can function better, why not try it?" asked Stuart Warner, who has lived with his wife in Point Pleasant for 14 years. "We're not replacing medicine."

Point Pleasant Fire Companies 1 and 2 parked their firetrucks in the playground area at the school, and Warren Thielman, 16, of Point Pleasant, and several other members of the fire company's Explorer program handed out fire-safety literature, as well as free smoke alarms, carbon-monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and plastic firemen's helmets. Sparky, the fire dog, visited with children, who also got to climb up onto the firetruck for a tour.

"It's a good way to get a lot of safety information out to the community," said Jennifer Fabo of Point Pleasant, who brought her sons, Ben, 4, and Lucas, 22 months, to the event. Point Pleasant police Sgt. Michael Colwell had a long line of children waiting patiently for him to take their fingerprints for child-identification cards.

When Mario Kurilavicius of Linden asked the officer what the fingerprints were for, Colwell told him fingerprints were very important "if we ever need to look for you."

"I loved the way he answered the question that my son asked. He didn't say anything that would alarm him, but got the message across that fingerprints were important," said Lily Kurilavicius, a Linden resident who will be moving to Brick with her family this summer.

Iggy and Sparkles, two robots operated by the Ocean County Department of Corrections, buzzed around the lobby of the school "talking" to children.

"Iggy talks about safety, and Sparkles talks about recycling," said Officer Brian Hennessey, who was there with Officer Mike Gerlach. The duo are assigned to the Clean Communities program, and also bring the robots to preschools and elementary schools for programs on stranger danger, littering and protecting the environment.

A clown, balloons, stickers, face painting, bagels, and pizza and drinks also were on the agenda for the afternoon, as well as free raffles for donated prizes like a bicycle and gas grill.

Bonnie Delaney: (732) 643-4218 or bdelaney@app.com