OAKLAND (November 17, 2015) – The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), representing the state’s more than 1,400 dairy families, and the Oakland Raiders, presented the San Leandro Unified School District with a $10,000 ‘Hometown Grant’ to expand nutrition and physical activity programs in schools. The Hometown Grant was presented October 12th to the district in a celebratory student assembly at McKinley Elementary School, where Superintendent Dr. Michael McLaughlin pledged an additional $10,000 to activate the Fuel Up to Play 60 program in the District.
"Student wellness is one of our strategic goals – we know how important nutrition and exercise is to the well-being of our students. We were very pleased to receive this $10,000 grant to help us achieve this goal," said San Leandro Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Michael McLaughlin. "We have decided as a district to match these funds so we can implement the Fuel Up to Play 60 program in all San Leandro schools."
Participating in the assembly – which also included football drills and a post-drill fuel up with Crystal milk – were Oakland Raiders players Lorenzo Alexander, Neiron Ball, Max Valles and Matt McCants; Raiders cheerleaders and mascot Raider Rusher; representatives from the California Milk Advisory Board and San Leandro Unified School District officials.
“The excitement of the kids was contagious throughout the ceremony and made the day special for everyone involved, I think (Fuel Up to Play 60) is a great program,” said Alexander, who grew up in the Bay Area. “The Raiders’ organization along with California’s dairy families, have done a great job of coming together to inform kids about the importance of working out and eating right and letting them know that those things will allow them to be more successful, not only in the classroom but in life as well.”
Developed by Fuel Up to Play 60 and the National Football League (NFL), the ‘Hometown Grant’ program provides teams and state/regional dairy organizations with the opportunity to identify deserving schools in their area and provide them with funding to help meet their health and wellness goals.
“We were thrilled when we learned that the San Leandro Unified School District matched the donation to bring Fuel Up to Play 60 to the district,” said Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications for the CMAB. “According to research, having a strong nutritional foundation and ample opportunity for physical activity supports academic performance and the $20,000 will help promote initiatives that empower kids to make a difference not only in their own lives but also the lives of fellow students.”
Since fall 2014, California dairy families have awarded more than $165,000 in grants to California schools through the FUTP 60 program. Nationally, each of the 32 NFL Clubs, Fuel Up to Play 60 and local dairy representatives are providing $10,000 grants in communities throughout the country totaling a $320,000 investment in youth health and wellness this year.
About the Oakland Raiders
The Raiders — who began play in the American Football League in 1960 — are in their 56th year of professional football competition, including the last 46 as a member of the National Football League. Over six memorable decades the Raiders have won an American Football League Championship, four American Football Conference Championships, three World Championships of Professional Football, participated in five Super Bowls, played in 14 Championship games, won or tied for 17 Division Championships, had 21 playoff seasons, finished 35 seasons at .500 or better and played in 40 postseason games. With their appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII, the Raiders became the only NFL team to play in Super Bowls in four different decades. In addition, the Raiders are proud to contribute to youth initiatives, community development, environmental concerns and multicultural awareness and global outreach. The Silver and Black maintains a global presence and communicates with the worldwide Raider Nation through the team's official web site and social media properties. For more information, please visit www.raiders.com.
About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which was founded by America’s dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. As a result of the program, last year 14 million students made better food choices by selecting nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, 14 million students are getting more physically active during the school day.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student contests. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association/Foundation, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.