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Be Active North Carolina in running for top prize

The statewide group hopes to win $250,000 to support programs to keep kids active. But it needs your help.

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Cary gym helps kids fight childhood obesity
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
Be Active North Carolina, a non-profit aimed at getting people more fit statewide, is in the running to win $250,000 to support its efforts to ensure kids get plenty of physical activity.

But they need your help in order to win the prize.

Be Active is partnering with The 'nPLAY Foundation to win the grant for its Just Push Play program as part of the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Be Active's Just Push Play program helps schools in the state create wellness plans and buy equipment to get kids moving in the classroom, on the playground and in afterschool programs. The program already has helped six schools in the state. Right now, about half of North Carolina's students don't get enough daily physical activity to stay healthy.

This program gained the attention of The ‘nPLAY Foundation, which is supported by a variety of professional athletes, including Grant Hill, Jerry Stackhouse and Evander Holyfield. The group is working to reduce childhood obesity in America.

“As a parent myself, I know the challenges of trying to teach your children to live a healthy lifestyle. I also understand the financial hardships that our schools are facing. That’s why this is so important,” said Grant Hill, NBA star and former Duke Blue Devil, in a press release. “When we win, this will directly affect children’s health and education in North Carolina by putting a program in place that schools otherwise may not be able to afford.”

If selected, eligible elementary and middle schools across North Carolina can win grants of $10,000 each to implement Be Active’s Just Push Play program.

But Jodi Hubble of Be Active tells me they could really use your help. So to support Be Active, you can vote once everyday between June 1 and June 30 by going to www.refresheverything.com/justpushplay. You can also follow the athletes of 'nPLAY on Twitter and Facebook to spread the word.

 

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