WellCare Gives $1,500 to Support Fastest Kid Competition to Encourage Youth Physical Fitness and Healthy Lifestyles in Bowling Green, Kentucky
TAMPA, Fla. (PRWEB) May 06, 2015 -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) gave Western Kentucky University (WKU) $1,500 to sponsor the 4th Annual Fastest Kid in Bowling Green fitness competition at WKU’s Charles M. Ruter Track Complex. This is WellCare’s second consecutive year sponsoring the 100-meter dash competition to promote physical fitness and offer children an opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities in a collegiate setting.
Leading up to this competition, public and private schools across the Warren County School District and the Bowling Green Independent School District held preliminary competitions for grades 1-6. Seventy winners from these preliminary races advanced to the Fastest Kid in Bowling Green competition, where separate 100-meter dash races were held for boys and girls. Winners were named in two categories: grades 1-3 and 4-6.
Winners of the Fastest Kid in Bowling Green competition are:
• 1st-3rd Grade Girls – Myra Jones – Holy Trinity
• 1st-3rd Grade Boys – Makayelus Wardlow – McNeil Elementary
• 4th-6th Grade Girls – Natalie Hix – Richardsville Elementary
• 4th-6th Grade Boys – Kyaw Ri Htoo – Briarwood Elementary
“WellCare is committed to supporting efforts that teach children the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Howard Shaps, medical director for WellCare of Kentucky. “By exposing children to fun and rewarding programs like this, we can inspire a love of physical activity to build the foundation for a healthy generation.”
“It is inspiring to watch the energy and enthusiasm these kids put into each race,” said Thomas Harris, WKU assistant director of athletic marketing. “We appreciate WellCare for helping us to create this opportunity for children to compete at a collegiate track and field venue. It may spark an interest that could motivate them to work hard to one day compete at this level.”
“Physical fitness is a part of developing the whole student, which is vital to long-term success in life,” said Rob Clayton, superintendent, Warren County Schools. “Warren County Schools thanks WKU and WellCare for partnering to create this unique opportunity for our children.”
"This event is a great way for our schools to promote physical fitness and recognize students with outstanding talent,” said Joe Tinius, superintendent for Bowling Green Independent Schools. “Bowling Green Independent Schools appreciate WKU Track and Field and WellCare for their continued support of this event."
As of Dec. 31, 2014, WellCare serves approximately 408,000 Medicaid members, 5,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 21,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Kentucky. To learn more about how we care for Kentuckians, watch Brandi’s story at http://youtu.be/YwOw5EgeSYo.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, Prescription Drug Plans and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind and disabled. The company serves approximately 4.1 million members nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2014. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at http://www.wellcare.com or view the company’s videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
Michele Pinnau, WellCare Health Plans, Inc., http://www.wellcare.com, +1 813-206-2747, [email protected]
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