PITTSBURGH, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second consecutive year, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has awarded $125,000 in grants to 9 area schools to help fight childhood obesity. The "Highmark Challenge for Healthier Schools" funds school programs that address better nutritional choices and physical activity among children.
The grants were awarded to schools spread out over seven counties. Four elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools will receive grant money to implement their winning programs during the 2004-05 or 2005-06 academic school years.
"The schools chosen as this year's challenge winners showed creativity and a clear method to measure results from their programs," said Aaron Walton, Highmark's senior vice president of Corporate Affairs. "As a region, it's important we all take responsibility for the obesity epidemic among our children. The challenge is a great way to engage schools in becoming a part of the solution."
Obesity and inactivity have reached epidemic proportions among today's youth. Children today are at greater risk for the health consequences of being overweight than any generation before them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 15 percent or about 9 million children ages 6 to 19, are considered obese in the United States.
The winners of the Challenge for Healthier Schools competition are:
Elementary Schools
-- Brockway Area Elementary -- Jefferson County -- $10,000
-- To fund a program that will increase health awareness by offering
cooking demonstrations/training sessions, as well as school fun
and fitness programs, for the student population and their
families.
-- East Pike Elementary & Ben Franklin Elementary -- Indiana County --
$10,000
-- Grant money will fund program to increase students' level of
fitness and physical well-being by initiating a strong nutrition
and fitness directive in a supportive environment that includes
all children, regardless of ability, in a meaningful way that will
be both comprehensive and expansive.
-- Perry Elementary School -- Fayette County -- $10,000
-- Money to fund a program titled "Fit For The Future" that will
include several initiatives, such as Sports, Play and Active
Recreation for Kids (SPARK), Eat Smart-Play Hard, Professor
Popcorn, Discovery Wall and the Presidential Active Lifestyle.
-- White Oak Elementary -- Allegheny County -- $10,000
-- The grant will fund, "Kids Healthy Zone," a program that will
provide education that focuses on healthy food choices and engages
students in non-competitive physical activities that promote
well-being.
Middle Schools
-- Brentwood Middle/High School -- Allegheny County -- $15,000
-- Grant portion will fund the development of Brentwood G.O.L.D.
Center that will include a multifaceted approach to helping
students improve quality of life while discouraging poor eating
habits and the use of drugs and alcohol.
-- Center Middle School -- Beaver County -- $15,000
-- Money will fund the development of a nature-walking trail that
will include interactive and educational components.
-- Elizabeth Forward Middle School -- Allegheny County -- $15,000
-- Grant expands the school's existing curriculum for physical
education and health, as well as family and consumer science.
Money will also improve the lunch program and aim to increase
student's physical activities.
High Schools
-- Bedford Area High School -- Bedford County -- $20,000
-- Grant allotment to fund the purchase and use of cardiovascular
equipment for a comprehensive plan to provide individualized
fitness plans for all students.
-- Lincoln Junior Senior High School -- Lawrence County -- $20,000
-- Grant money will fund the "Everyone Counts Challenge" that
will utilize expert speakers, community walk nights, exercise
stations, intramural programs, monthly activities and
incentives for healthy living.
Highmark Caring Foundation Awards Honorable Mention Grants
Due to the positive response from area schools and following Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's lead on fighting the childhood obesity locally, the Highmark Caring Foundation awarded $150,000 to 14 additional schools in the Western Pennsylvania region.
"Our goal with funding additional schools is to ensure that even more children will begin to learn early in life the benefits of being active and eating healthy," said Charlie LaVallee, executive director of the Highmark Caring Foundation. "We are proud to follow Highmark's lead on this critical health issue facing our children and are happy that more schools will benefit from this year's Challenge."
The honorable mention winners of the Challenge for Healthier Schools competition are:
-- Brentwood High School -- Allegheny County -- $5,000
-- Money will supplement additional funding to the Brentwood G.O.L.D.
program.
-- Center Avenue Elementary -- Butler County -- $5,000
-- Grant to empower students and their families to make healthy and
holistic lifestyle changes.
-- Coudersport Area Elementary -- Potter County -- $10,000
-- Money will integrate aerobic activities into current physical
education classes.
-- Elizabeth Lee Black School at Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National
Institute -- Erie County -- $15,000
-- Grant will fund the creation of a fitness center for students with
various disabilities and behavioral issues.
-- Farrell Area School District (K-12) -- Mercer County -- $40,000
-- Money will fund district-wide SHINE program (Students Helping
Instruct Nutritional Education).
-- Indiana Senior High School -- Indiana County -- $15,000
-- Money will go to the development of a community-accessible fitness
center.
-- Independence Middle School -- Allegheny County -- $5,000
-- Money will fund awareness program to increase physical activity
and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
-- James S. Wilson Middle School -- Erie County -- $10,000
-- Fitness Trek program will use outdoor amenities to promote
physical activity.
-- Johnstown High School -- Cambria County -- $10,000
-- Grant to fund CHOICE program (Choosing Healthy Options in a
Community Environment).
-- Founders Hall Middle School -- Allegheny County -- $5,000
-- Grant to fund "Funky Fitness Goes Bezerk" nutrition/fitness
program for 7th & 8th graders.
-- Seneca Valley Intermediate High School -- Butler County -- $2,500
-- Money to fund education upgrades to encourage and reinforce
healthy lifestyles.
-- Western Beaver Junior & Senior High School -- Beaver County -- $12,500
-- Grant to fund wellness program geared to increase physical
activity and nutrition awareness.
-- William S. Sitman Middle School -- Blair County -- $15,000
-- Money to fund Healthy Kids Club that will upgrade current physical
education and health classes.
The Highmark Caring Foundation
Since 1985, the Highmark Caring Foundation has been serving the needs of the uninsured, the underserved, at-risk and vulnerable populations within Western Pennsylvania. Since 1996, The Highmark Caring Place: A Center For Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families has been providing counseling for children who have suffered the loss of a loved one.
About Highmark
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information, visit http://www.highmark.com/ .
Highmark Blue Cross Blue ShieldCONTACT: Scott Henry of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield,+1-412-544-8971, scott.henry@highmark.com
Web site: http://www.highmark.com/
