Silver Spring, MD (PRWEB) January 21, 2014
The National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (NFFSN) is pleased to be able to provide schools with an opportunity to secure resources that will enhance their implementation of the Presidential Youth Fitness Program (PYFP). Applications are due January 31, 2014.
Public and private schools now have access to free and supplemental resources through the PYFP to help them enhance their physical education offerings. The voluntary program centers around three core elements: the FITNESSGRAM® health-related fitness assessment, recognition for students and participating schools, and helping physical educators implement these elements effectively. The funding opportunity supplies schools with software, training for physical education teachers, and individual student recognition items for a full three years.
“The Presidential Youth Fitness Program isn’t about who is the fastest or the strongest. It is about healthy kids and lifelong physical activity,” said Dr. Jayne Greenberg, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition council member. “Providing an opportunity for schools to access these resources is invaluable. This will go a long way to helping schools develop healthier students who are ready to learn,” added Greenberg.
This funding opportunity is made possible by a $1.5 million donation from the General Mills Foundation. This initial contribution to the NFFSN, which leads the administrative and development efforts for PYFP, is part of a $10 million, six-year commitment made by the General Mills Foundation, the program’s Inaugural Presidential Sponsor.
“We are appreciative of the support the General Mills Foundation has provided to the Presidential Youth Fitness Program,” said Pat Cunnane, NFFSN chairman. “The NFFSN looks forward to working with organizations like the General Mills Foundation in order to expand this funding opportunity to the many schools that are in need of the valuable resources the PYFP partners provide.”
The bridge between NFFSN and the PYFP is vital in helping the program achieve its goal of implementation in 90% of U.S. schools by 2020. By reaching this goal, more than 50 million school-aged youth will be positively impacted by the program’s tools and resources.
The NFFSN encourages other organizations, public and private, to join forces with the PYFP partners to help promote awareness of and engagement in the program. Organizations interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities can email info(at)pyfp(dot)org.
About the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition
The National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition was established by Act of Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 22, 2010. The Foundation was created to support and supplement the mission of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. The Foundation encourages and promotes private sector support to help all Americans get active, play sports, and eat healthier.
About the Presidential Youth Fitness Program
Launched in September 2012, the mission of the Presidential Youth Fitness Program is to provide a model for fitness education that includes use of a health-related fitness assessment, as well as educational and motivational tools, to support teachers and empower students to adopt an active lifestyle. The voluntary program is the result of a partnership between the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Amateur Athletic Union and The Cooper Institute®. For more information, visit: http://www.pyfp.org.
About the General Mills Foundation
The mission of the General Mills Foundation is to nourish communities. Continuing its tradition of generous giving and global community support, General Mills contributed more than $150 million to charitable causes in fiscal year 2013. General Mills invests in and collaborates with community organizations and programs that focus on alleviating hunger, advancing nutrition wellness and improving education. In addition, 83 percent of U.S. employees volunteer. To learn more about the ways General Mills nourishes lives through philanthropy and community engagement, please join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/GeneralMillsGives or visit us at GeneralMills.com/en/Responsibility/Community_Engagement.