Project Fit America program awarded to Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary
Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary School will receive a $16,000 grant from Baptist Health Paducah this fall to launch Project Fit America, a fitness program aimed at reducing childhood obesity.
March 24, 2016 — Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary School will receive a $16,000 grant from Baptist Health Paducah this fall to launch Project Fit America, a fitness program aimed at reducing childhood obesity.
Hospital officials surprised school staff with news of the grant on Thursday, March 24. The school will receive indoor and outdoor fitness equipment, teacher training and curriculum materials.
Hendron-Lone Oak brings to 12 the total number of schools to receive Project Fit grants from Baptist Health Paducah. Paducah’s McNabb Elementary and Graves County’s Central Elementary were awarded the program in 2007; Lone Oak Elementary, 2009; Concord Elementary, 2011; Clark Elementary, 2012; Benton Elementary, 2013; Calvert City Elementary and East Calloway Elementary, 2014; Morgan Elementary, Heath Elementary and Reidland Intermediate, 2015.
“Hendron-Lone Oak has a culture and academic rigor that has brought this school from a ranking of 234 out of 713 in the state in 2015 to an astounding 29th ranking this year,” Principal Jon Reid wrote in the Project Fit America application. “We have prioritized student's health and wellness with equal endeavor as we have to turning around the schools' rank in the state. This grant will be the cornerstone of our curriculum and the catalyst to support the community and family outreach efforts as well for the promotion of healthy lifestyles.”
William A. Brown, Baptist Health Paducah president and West Region executive, said the program exemplifies the hospital’s focus on health, especially in today’s culture when obesity and its related conditions, such as diabetes, are among the area’s greatest health risks.
“Since 1953, Baptist has built a foundation for good health in our community,” Brown said. “Today Baptist Health reiterates that dedication to community education and disease prevention with the expansion of Project Fit America to our 12th school to help another community of children, staff and families build good lifelong habits for healthy lifestyles.”
For more information, visit http://www.projectfitamerica.org.