Triad Groups Awarded Grants To Improve Physical Fitness

Greensboro, NC -- The grants, which total $28,430, will support programs designed to promote physical activity and fitness for Triad residents of all ages.

The program is part of an ongoing partnership between Be Active North Carolina and WFMY News 2. Much of the money for the grant initiative was raised through the station?s 2 Those Who Care Service to the Piedmont Awards program, made possible by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. Each year, 2 Those Who Care honors 10 outstanding volunteers in the Triad.

Be Active North Carolina, based in Chapel Hill, is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles for all North Carolinians. Shellie Pfohl, Be Active?s executive director, credited WFMY News 2 for its support. She said the grant money is designed to get people moving.

?It?s more important than ever that we, as North Carolinians, make physical activity a real part of our lives. The Triad is full of opportunity for physical activity, but people aren?t always taking advantage of it. That?s what this grant program is all about ?making it easier for people to get the physical activity they need to be healthy and happy,? Pfohl said.

Deborah Hooper, president and general manager of WFMY News 2, said the station is committed to promoting healthier lifestyles.

?There?s no question that being physically active is a vital step toward better health. That?s why we are so pleased to partner with Be Active North Carolina in this program,? Hooper said.

The following received grants:

?Shadybrook Elementary School in High Point received $5,000 for its Smart Steppin? and March For Fitness program. This is a pedometer-based walking program for K-5 students. Students will record their daily activity, while each class records weekly totals. Students will receive bonus mileage if parents or family members join them at recess or during Physical Education class. The program is designed to foster improved fitness awareness among students, faculty and parents.

?North Carolina A&T State University received $5,000 for its Together We Can Be Active program. This program will train students to become peer mentors to other students who are not physically active. The program will be dedicated to sustaining a community of individuals of every race, gender, ethnicity and nationality who are motivated and given an opportunity to stay active.

?Alamance Community College received $5,000 for its Walking Track program. The college plans to build an outdoor walking track to increase the physical activity levels and healthy lifestyles of students, faculty and community members. This project will enhance current classes involving outdoor activity already taking place and it will encourage members of the ACC employee walking club to walk further and more vigorously outside. The Student Government Association and the Horticulture Club will volunteer time to help build and publicize the track.

?North Carolina A&T State University received another $5,000 for its Fit To Walk Friday program. This initiative is designed to increase physical activity on campus. The purpose of the program is to address one of the Healthy People 2010 objectives by encouraging employers to sponsor health promotion activities for their employees. Participants will be encouraged to utilize the fitness programs and activities in their current environment as a means to breaking access barriers. An emphasis will be placed on healthy food choices, portion sizes and food combinations. There will also be an educational component that will consist of group lecturers.

?Elon University received $4,130 for its Alamance Girls in Motion program. This effort will address the issues of body image, self-esteem, healthy eating and activity for girls ages 10 and 11. Women from Elon will mentor these girls for eight weeks serving one hour each week. This program will offer girls in the Alamance community an opportunity for guidance and support, through mentorship and discussion, while instilling a positive body image and teaching healthy eating and lifestyle behaviors.

?Friedberg Elementary in Winston-Salem received $3,000 for its Walk Across North Carolina program. The program is intended to show students how easy it is to integrate physical activity on a daily basis. Fourth-grade students will use pedometers to count their steps, set goals and see their progress.

?McCrary Elementary in Asheboro received $1,000 for its Mustang Steppers program. This is a club that meets weekly and is open to all fourth and fifth graders and provides the opportunity for students to get healthy exercise through dance. The program develops teamwork and leadership and allows students to feel a part of a positive group on campus and after school. The club will perform throughout the year at various venues and will help promote a positive healthy lifestyle in the community.

?Morehead Elementary in Greensboro received $300 for its Family Sock Hop initiative. This is an opportunity for students, staff and families to participate in a fun-filled evening of physical activity. This diverse group of students will learn dance steps during regular physical education classes and demonstrate those skills at the sock hop.

Be Active North Carolina has programs in place in all the state?s 100 counties. Among its most successful programs is Active Steps, which integrates technology with physical activity to motivate people to become more active. Active Steps encourages North Carolinians to use electronic pedometers to measure their steps, then to log those steps online. Since Active Steps began in 2001, more than 200 million steps have been logged.