The Southeast Alabama Medical Center Foundation, along with Southeast Alabama Medical Center Living Well Fitness team, is pleased to announce the fourth consecutive year of funding for the Kohl’s Kids Fit for Life Program. Kohl’s representatives presented SAMC Foundation Executive Director Valerie Barnes with a $20,801 check at Highlands Elementary School on Wednesday, October 19 during Zumba Boot Camp Day.
Kohl’s Kids Fit for Life is a childhood obesity prevention initiative provided by Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan City and Houston County Schools. The six week program is taught by licensed nutritionists and exercise specialists and focuses on teaching children healthy eating habits and fun ways to stay active and exercise. The program is taught during physical education classes at each participating school. Children end their six week session with the Zumba Boot Camp Day. Highlands Elementary is the second of six schools participating during the 2011-2012 school year.
Barnes explained the goal of the Kohl’s Kids Fit for Life program is to help children in our local community learn what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. “We’re already hearing of children with cardiovascular problems associated with obesity. This program allows us to not only help the younger generations live healthy but also teach the parents ways to encourage their kids to live healthy through example.” Parents can access additional Kohl’s Kids Fit for Life materials by visiting www.samcfoundation.org.
Since 2008, Kohl’s has donated more than $60,259 to Southeast Alabama Medical Center Foundation.
Kohl’s commitment to Southeast Alabama Medical Center is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys where 100 percent of net profits benefit children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million dollars through this merchandise program. In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl’s Cares® features the Kohl’s Cares® Scholarship Program, which last year recognized more than 2,100 young volunteers with a total of $410,000 in scholarships and prizes.
Through Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteer program, more than 385,000 associates have donated more than 1.2 million hours of their time since 2001 and Kohl’s has donated more than $35 million to youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Kohl’s also offers fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.