A foundation is offering grants of up to $1,000 for Kansas schools to help implement student health programs.
Officials with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation announced today that they plan to award some 150 grants in 2013. The grants are intended to promote healthy eating habits, increase physical activity or otherwise reduce the risk of cardiovascular illness.
“Reaching children where they spend the majority of their waking hours seems like the perfect way to make a significant impact in the lives of Kansas children,” said Marlou Wegener, chief operating officer for foundation. “The Foundation’s board of directors recognizes curbing childhood obesity now will translate into healthy adults later, saving health care dollars for all Kansans.”
The program was started seven years ago and has awarded 600 grants totaling more than $573,000. Foundation officials said last year virtually all $150,000 earmarked for the program was distributed to Kansas schools.
Wegener said school personnel have used the grant money to purchase, among other things:
- nutritional and wellness curriculum,
- healthy snacks,
- pedometers for walking programs,
- heart rate monitors for physical education classes,
- health fairs,
- playground equipment, and
- to purchase Nintendo Wii game systems to keep children active when inclement weather keeps them inside for recess.
Grants are limited to one per school per grant cycle.
Applications are due Oct. 10. More information and grant applications are available at bcbsks.com/foundation.
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