MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx, Farmer’s Hat Productions, Minneapolis Public Schools and General Mills are partnering through ‘Lynx Fit,’ a four-week program to educate youth about the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle.With the help of Lynx players, staff and General Mills employees, students at the Bryn Mawr Elementary School summer school program site will learn about healthy eating, physical fitness and the importance of reading and education. As part of the program, the students attended the Lynx Kids Day Game versus the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday, July 15th."We're honored to partner with Minneapolis Public Schools and General Mills on this wonderful and powerful program to educate youth about the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle," said Conrad Smith, Lynx Chief Operating Officer. "Eating healthy, staying physically fit and understanding proper nutrition are all vital to living healthy and we look forward to educating the students of the Bryn Mawr Elementary summer program on these essential life lessons." Highlights of the four-week program include: - Fitness Week: General Mills employees and Lynx Fit staff will teach the students about the benefits of being fit. Lynx players will show students how they can stay active and fight obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease through fun, interactive games. - Read to Achieve Week: Lynx Fit staff will speak to kids about their love for reading and the importance of working hard to be a good student. Youth at the "rookie" level (Grades K-1) will receive "Anna Goes Hiking," from the award winning Bur Bur and Friends children’s book series, written by local authors JoAnne Pastel and Kakie Fitzsimmons. The students will prepare to hit the trails with Anna and her parents to discover the great outdoors on a nature hike before reading and writing a short book report. Additionally, each student received a ticket to the Lynx Kids Day game on Wednesday, July 15. - Nutrition Week: Lynx Fit staff and General Mills employees will use the Food Pyramid to teach students healthy eating habits. Lynx players will teach kids how to prepare healthy snacks and encourage them to make good nutritional choices at home. - Program Wrap Up/Lynx Day: During the final week of camp, Lynx staff, players, and coaches will attend a designated 'Lynx Day' at the Minneapolis Public Schools summer school site. Lynx players will discuss the importance of teamwork, motivation and setting goals. The four-week program will conclude with an outdoor festival that will feature basketball clinics with Lynx players and coaches, interactive games and contests. **Minneapolis Public Schools Quote** “General Mills is excited about this new partnership that continues our long-term commitment to helping youth across our community learn the skills they need for a lifetime of eating healthy and staying physically fit,” said Ellen Goldberg Luger, executive director of the General Mills Foundation and a General Mills vice president. Since 2002, General Mills has invested more than $18 million in overall youth nutrition and fitness programs that have served more than 3.5 million youth nationwide." For more information on the Lynx Fit campaign and its involvement with Minneapolis Public Schools and General Mills, please visit http://lynxbasketball.com/community. About the Minnesota Lynx Fit program: The Minnesota Lynx Fit program aims to educate youth on the importance of physical fitness, eating healthy, education and reading. Goals of the initiative include improving health conditions associated with poor nutrition and lack of regular physical activity, promoting healthy food choices, increasing fitness through regular activity and improving access and dissemination of information regarding nutrition and fitness for youth and adults. About Minneapolis Public Schools: Minneapolis Public Schools is the school district of choice for 33,000 students and their families. Nearly 25,000 adult learners embrace life-long learning through a variety of community education courses. Relationships – with families and community partners – are a critical component of helping all learners reach their highest potential. r. In spring 2008, the Board of Education adopted an ambitious five-year strategic plan designed to raise student achievement, close achievement gaps and help ensure every student who graduates from the Minneapolis Public Schools is college ready. About General Mills: One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in over 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., General Mills had fiscal 2008 global net sales of US$14.9 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales. In fiscal 2008, General Mills awarded $87 million to communities across the country, representing more than 5 percent of company pretax profits that year. Of the total, the Foundation contributed $21 million in grants in the targeted areas of youth nutrition and fitness, social services, education, and arts and culture. In addition, 82 percent of employees volunteer in the communities that they live and work. About Farmer’s Hat Productions™ Farmer’s Hat Productions offers fun, educational ways for children to engage with the world. Bur Bur and Friends™ books and other products inspire kids to cultivate their talents and self-esteem through sports, outdoor exploration and active play. “Bur Bur’s Boating ABCs,” “Bur Bur’s Fishing Adventures,” “Bur Bur Throws Out the First Pitch,” and “Anna Goes Hiking,” are currently available on www.burburandfriends.com and retail for $14.95 each. The Anna Doll is also available at a retail price of $12.95. Watch for the Bur Bur and Friends Basketball book coming soon! For more information, visit http://farmershatproductions.com and http://burburandfriends.com Contact Information: Aaron Seehusen, Minnesota Lynx, (612) 673-1602, seehusen@lynxbasketball.com Heather Hyvare, Minneapolis Public Schools, (612) 668-0233, Heather.Hyvare@mpls.k12.mn.us http://lynxbasketball.com http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/ Book Covers from the award winning Bur Bur and Friend's children's book series: Bur Bur and Friends is a cast of multicultural characters who educate kids about self-esteem, sports, outdoor exploration and active play though their experiences.

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