Two New Programs Designed to Promote Healthy Living among Middle School Students
NEW ORLEANS - In January 2010, the New Orleans Hornets, Ochsner Health System and Tidewater launched two new educational fitness programs for middle school students in the New Orleans area to educate on the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Through the partnership, Ochsner will participate with the Hornets in local Fit For Life Field Days at area schools and encourage students to visit the online Ochsner Bee Fit page to learn more about healthy lifestyles. (http://www.nba.com/hornets/community/hornets_beefit_program.html).
"It's important for the Hornets to step up and educate local youth on the numerous health benefits of staying fit and active," said Hornets President Hugh Weber. "These are issues that affect many of our young neighbors, and we are committed to use our resources to make a difference."
The first Fit For Life Field Day took place on Thursday, March 11, at Estelle Elementary, 2800 Barataria Boulevard in Marrero. Three additional events will take place at elementary schools this school year with organized outdoor activities to teach the importance of healthy lifestyles. The Bee Fit web page features demonstration videos with Elmwood Fitness Center trainers, recipes for healthy, kid-friendly meals and healthy living tips.
"The Fit for Life Field Days are a great way for Ochsner and the Hornets to collaborate in changing the health of the next generation," said Dr. Patrick Quinlan, CEO of Ochsner Health System. "This program parallels our goals of utilizing our resources and expertise to help integrate healthy initiatives into a child's life. These field days will allow us to use the schools as the focal point of all interactions," he adds.
The Hornets have also partnered with Tidewater to launch the Tidewater Health and Fitness Center located inside Edgar P. Harney Elementary School, where the Bee Fit program kick-off was held. The space features new fitness equipment to help students stay active throughout the school year. Each student will receive a fitness report card to track their fitness improvements throughout the remaining school year and each month, the Hornets will visit the school to reinforce the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Kids who have shown improvement will be rewarded with Hornets tickets. The class with the most overall improvement will receive a class "fitness party" featuring Hugo and Honeybees.
"Tidewater is very pleased to partner with the Hornets and Ochsner, two other great organizations in the Greater New Orleans area," said Tidewater Vice President of Sales Chris Orth. "In the 50-plus years as a New Orleans based corporation, Tidewater's global success has centered around our ability to build for the future. As corporate stewards, we cannot think of a better way to build a better tomorrow for New Orleans than to invest in our children and their growth both mentally and physically."
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