COAHPERD

ING Awards more than $100,000 in Grants to Combat Childhood Obesity
ING Run For Something Better® School-Based Running Programs Help Students
Learn Healthy Choices and Take Responsibility for Their Own Fitness

The ING Community Fund today announced that it has awarded 50 schools from 24 states across the U.S. with up to $2,500 grants to help students combat childhood obesity by getting them more active through school-based running programs. Through its ING Run For Something Better® School Awards Program, financial services leader ING, in partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), is helping to introduce kindergarten- through eighth-grade students across the country to the benefits of running and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Fifty schools will receive up to $2,500 in funding to support a minimum of an eight-week running program that will conclude with a culminating running event in celebration of the students’ achievements. Schools will receive $1,000 immediately, with additional funds granted based on the participation in the program. Schools can download unique running lesson plans developed by NASPE and based on the National Standards for Physical Education (NASPE, 2004) to serve as the foundation of the running program or to supplement an existing school program. Other program materials, such as sample eight-week training plans, distance logs, a running journal and access to a free timing system will aid in the development of running skills and preparation for a culminating running event.

“ING is pleased to provide grants to schools across the nation to help them engage students in healthy lifestyles changes, personal development, goal-setting and group participation,” said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and senior vice president, ING’s Office of Corporate Responsibility. “Understanding the connection between student achievement and physical well being, we are committed to making it easier for educators to empower their students to achieve a better future. ING Run For Something Better allows us to make a positive impact on educators and their students.”

Grant awards were available in all states and the District of Columbia to elementary or middle schools for running programs that targeted kindergarten- through eighth-grade students. Over 300 schools applied for the 2011 ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program. A NASPE review board consisting of 190 teachers and education administrators reviewed all applications.

In 2010, the ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program awarded 60 grants to schools in 27 states providing 4,117 students the opportunity to discover running as a fun and easy way to increase physical activity and learn how to make healthy lifestyles choices. Students participating in the program ran a total of 123,580 miles – that’s almost 41 times across the United States!

“NASPE is thrilled to see real, positive, tangible results in the student’s health over the first two years of this exciting program,” explains NASPE Executive Director, Charlene Burgeson. “Participating schools showed an average of 31.2% increase in aerobic cardiovascular endurance in students from the start to the conclusion of these running programs, double from the prior year. NASPE is proud to be part of an effort that is making real changes in the lives of our nation’s youth, giving them the opportunities and tools needed to build a foundation for healthy and active lives.”

Research has shown that running is a great physical activity for promoting good health and self-confidence. It qualifies as a life sport; one in which participants are likely to maintain over their life spans. Running helps build strong bones and muscles, contributes to fitness, and lends itself to personal goal-setting. Additionally, recent research has shown that students who are healthy and physically active are more likely to be motivated, attentive, and successful academically.

To learn more about the impact of this program and how to get your school involved, including downloading program materials, visit www.naspeinfo.org/run.

2011 ING Run For Something Better® School-Based Running Program Grant Winners

Alabama
Tuscaloosa Magnet School, Tuscaloosa

Alaska
Taku Elementary, Anchorage
Hoonah City School, Hoonah

Arizona
Thew Elementary, Tempe

California
Albert Einstein Academies Charter Schools, San Diego
Charles T. Kranz Intermediate School, El Monte
Lanai Road Elementary, Encino
Leonardo da Vinci Health Science Charter School, Chula Vista*(two time winner)
Loma Vista Middle School, Riverside

District of Columbia
Brightwood Education Campus, Washington, DC

Florida
Fairglen Elementary, Cocoa
Hans Christian Andersen Elementary School, Rockledge

Hawaii
Keonepoko Elementary School, Pahoa

Idaho
Moscow Junior High School, Moscow
Sherman Elementary School, Nampa

Illinois
John C. Coonley School, Chicago

Indiana
Discovery Charter School, Porter

Iowa
Parkview Middle School, Ankeny

Kansas
Discovery Intermediate School, Goddard
Sunflower Elementary School, Lawrence*(two time winner)

Michigan
Clague Middle School, Ann Arbor
Columbiaville Elementary School, Columbiaville*(two time winner)
Zinser Elementary School, Walker* (two time winner)

Minnesota
J.J. Hill Montessori, St. Paul

New Jersey
Thomas Jefferson School, North Arlington

New York
Clymer Central School, Clymer
Glendaal Elementary School, Scotia
Manorhaven Elementary School, Port Washington*(two time winner)
Ripley Central School, Ripley

North Carolina
Carter Community School, Durham
Chatham Middle School, Siler City

Ohio
Liberty Elementary School, Powell** (three time winner)

Pennsylvania
Forest Hills Elementary School, Sidman

Rhode Island
Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown

South Carolina
Central Elementary School, Central
Charleston County FitCatz, Charleston
Gettys Middle School, Easley** (three time winner)
Pelion Elementary School, Pelion*(two time winner)
Townville Elementary School, Townville*(two time winner)

Texas
Dr. Carlos Castaneda Elementary, McAllen
IDEA San Benito, San Benito
Pine Shadows and Westwood Elementary, Houston
Solomon P. Ortiz Elementary, Brownsville

Virginia
Crestwood Elementary, Richmond* (two time winner)
Deep Creek Elementary, Chesapeake** (three time winner)
Glen Cove Elementary School, Roanoke
Windsor Middle School, Windsor

Washington
Ellsworth Community Schools, Ellsworth
Midway Elementary School, SeaTac
Sunrise Elementary School, Spokane Valley