For Local Blog in MinneapolisMinnesota Lynx Team Up with Bur Bur and Friends, Minneapolis Public Schools, General Mills and The Wedge to Continue ‘Lynx Fit’ Program
August 12th, 2010
Lynx Team Up with Minneapolis Public Schools, General Mills and The Wedge to Continue 'Lynx Fit' Program Initiative designed to encourage healthy lifestyles for children and families
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – For the second consecutive summer, the Minnesota Lynx are partnering with General Mills, The Wedge and the Minneapolis Public School's summer program through ‘Lynx Fit,’ a five-week program aimed at educating today's 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 and Seward Elementary summer school programs will learn about healthy eating, physical fitness and the importance of reading and education.
"We're honored to partner with Minneapolis Public Schools and General Mills again 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're looking forward to educating the students of the Bryn Mawr and Seward Elementary summer programs on these essential life lessons."
Throughout the five-week program, Lynx staff and players will make two visits to each school each week. During the first visit, Lynx staff and General Mills employees will engage students in age-appropriate activities pertaining to one of the core values of the Lynx Fit program. Lynx players and coaches will then make follow-up visits each week to emphasize that week's message, as well as lead mini clinics and demonstrations that support the overall goals of the program. At the beginning of the program, each student will receive a Lynx Fit workbook, which will be used to track each kids' progress through the program. The workbooks will recap each week's message, include fun facts about nutrition and fitness, games and a small homework assignment to encourage parent involvement. At the conclusion of the program, the Lynx will partner with Minneapolis Public Schools to create a "Lynx Day Festival" on-site at both elementary schools for students, Lynx staff, players and coaches, as well as General Mills' Employees.
Highlights of the five-week program include: -
Fitness Week (July 6 — 8): Beginning Tuesday, July 6, General Mills employees and the Lynx Fit staff will educate students about the importance of an active lifestyle and proper fitness. Through fun, interactive games, Lynx players and staff will educate students on ways that they can stay active and fight incidents of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease by being active.
Read to Achieve Week (July 12 – 15): Kicking off Monday, July 12, Lynx Fit staff will speak to the students about their love for reading and the importance of working hard to be a good student. Students at the "rookie" level K-1st will receive a copy of "Anna Goes Hiking," a novel that is part of the Bur Bur and Friends book series, written by local authors JoAnne Pastel and Kakie Fitzsimmons whom provided this book to the children for the read to achieve week. The students will get ready to hit the trails as they come along with Anna and her parents to discover the great outdoors on a nature hike! Additionally, each student will receive a ticket to the Lynx Kids Day game on Wednesday, July 14. Students at the "Pro" and "All Star" level will be reading "Ramona & Beezus."
Nutrition Week (July 19 – 22): During the third week of Lynx Fit, Lynx staff and General Mills employees will educate students on healthy eating habits. This year the Lynx have partnered with Mid West Food connection to help educate students about the nutritional benefits of eating natural foods over processed foods. In addition, 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 (July 26): During the final week of camp, Lynx staff, players, and coaches will attend a designated 'Lynx Day' at the Bryn Mawr and Sewad Elementary summer school programs. The day will start with talks from Lynx players about the importance of teamwork, motivation, and setting goals. The four-week program will commence with an outdoor festival that will feature basketball clinics for the students with Lynx players and coaches, interactive games, and contests. For more information on the Lynx Fit campaign and its involvement with Minneapolis Public Schools and General Mills, please visit www.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 promises an inspirational education experience in a safe, welcoming environment for all diverse learners to acquire the tools and skills necessary to confidently engage in the global community.
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, 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 www.farmershatproductions.com and www.burburandfriends.com or www.farmershatproductions.com
“We are honored to be a part of the “Lynx Fit” program. At Farmer’s Hat Productions®, our mission is about “growing kids through diverse learning experiences”. Our books and products, which include a diverse cast of characters, tell stories about sports, the outdoors, and various other engaging activities while building their self-esteem. Our book “Anna Goes Hiking” has been donated to the Lynx Fit program’s “Read to Achieve Week”, and we hope that it will inspire the students to be active and to be aware of the world around them.” -JoAnne Pastel, President/Founder Farmer’s Hat Productions®
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 and other products from the award winning Bur Bur and Friend's children's book series: Bur Bur and Friends is a cast of multiracial children who help kids cultivate their self-esteem and talents by teaching them about sports, outdoor exploration and active play though their experiences. Bur Bur and Friends characters are based off of real life kids like yours!
