PITTSBORO - Sustainable health -- for people and the environment -- is the focus as Central Carolina Community College hosts its 2013 Earth Day Celebration: "Healthy Planet, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds" Saturday, April 13, at the college's Chatham County Campus.

"We have so much to celebrate on our campus, said Laura Lauffer, CCCC Sustainability coordinator/Sustainability Technologies lead instructor. "We have a great disc golf course, a new student-built house, innovative student projects, a great farm, and - to top it off - health professionals to help us keep our bodies in shape to enjoy the great outdoors! We invite all ages to learn something new about the planet and how CCCC programs can serve your interests. Bring mom, dad, grandpa, the kids and even your pets for a fun day on the Chatham Campus!"

The "Healthy Bodies-Healthy Minds" fun starts at 8 a.m. with a Rabbit Run 5K and Children's Fun Run sponsored by the CCCC Foundation and community supporters. For more information, visit www.cccc.edu/RabbitRun5K. The race starts and ends at the campus, 64 West St., Pittsboro. Earth Day activities are free, except for the Rabbit Run 5K and Children's Fun Run registration.

UNC Hospitals at Siler City, the Chatham Health Department and CCCC nursing students will provide a Health Fair, with health screenings and healthy living information, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the campus patio in front of the Sustainable Technology Center. In case of inclement weather, the Health Fair will be moved inside the Center.

The National Organ Donor Registry will be at the Health Fair to talk about the importance of the work it does and sign up those interested in potentially being organ donors. Nursing program students will share information about their programs.

Also from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the college's Natural Chef Cafe will feature healthy foods and information about the Natural Chef culinary arts program.

"Healthy Bodies-Healthy Minds" includes healthy fun and, at 10:30 a.m., the Student Government Association will put on a Disk Golf Tournament and Kids Showdown at the college's Disc Golf Course.

In keeping with the "Healthy Planet" theme, a series of classes covering topics from environmental issues to healthy cooking will be given from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The topics to be covered and the presenters are:

• Energy Efficiency - Andrew McMahan, CCCC Sustainability Technologies department chair
• Sustainable Agriculture - Robin Kohanowich, CCCC Sustainable Farming coordinator
• Green Home Design - Laura Lauffer, CCCC Sustainability coordinator/Sustainability Technologies lead instructor
• From Farm to Table - Chef Gregg Hamm, CCCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts department chair/Robin Griffith, CCCC nutrition instructor
• Chatham Cottage Tour and Open House - CCCC students. Green Building students constructed the cottage, located behind the Sustainable Technology Center.

The Earth Day's "Healthy Planet" activities will include an Earth Fair: demonstrations of building worm bins, cold frames, composting, recycling and seed starting. Students for Sustainability will also demonstrate solar thermal and solar photovoltaic heating methods.

At 11 a.m., the college's Student Farm at the Chatham County Campus will be open for tours. See how to start your own spring garden, build a hen house and start transplants. CCCC students will have transplants for sale.

College recruiter Patrick Kelly will be at the event to talk about the wide variety of educational opportunities at CCCC.

Earth Day was started in the United States in 1970 by U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson in order to increase awareness and appreciation of the natural environment. Events are now held annually in nations all over the world. Earth Day falls on April 22 each year, but organizations hold their celebrations throughout the month of April.

For more information about health and sustainability programs at CCCC, visit www.cccc.edu.