Pleasant Hill Elementary awarded NFL Play 60 recess grant

To support student health and well-being, the American Heart Association and the National Football League recently awarded Pleasant Hill Elementary School an NFL Play 60 Active Recess Grant through the association’s school-based programs, Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge.

This is the third round of grants awarded this year from the $350,000 annual funding pool provided by the NFL through NFL Play 60, a campaign supported by the American Heart Association to improve the health of young people by getting them active for at least 60 minutes every day.

NFL Play 60 grants support specific areas of need identified by schools and educators, including physical activity equipment, flag football, recess enhancements and inclusive physical education and well-being resources.

“We are excited to create more opportunities for students to be active throughout the school day,” said Keith Price, board member for the American Heart Association – Midlands and superintendent of Lexington School District 1. “This grant will help Pleasant Hill Elementary School provide engaging ways for students to move, play and build healthy habits. Regular physical activity supports overall well-being, helps students stay focused in the classroom and encourages lifelong healthy behaviors.”

 About 1 in 5 children in the United States live with obesity — the same number of children who get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, according to a news release.

NFL Play 60 is an initiative designed to help children develop healthy habits for a better chance at a longer, healthier life. Rooted in science, the program encourages kids to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

NFL mascots in the NFL Play 60 Ambassador Class are also working to inspire kids to move more to support mental and physical well-being. The current ambassador class includes Freddie Falcon, Atlanta Falcons; Gumbo, New Orleans Saints; Rampage, Los Angeles Rams; Roary, Detroit Lions; Rowdy, Dallas Cowboys; Sir Purr, Carolina Panthers; and T-Rac, Tennessee Titans.

Grant applications are accepted year-round. To learn more about Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge and how to get involved, visit heart.org/jointhechallenge.