United Way and the Detroit Lions Help Youth Get Fit at the 10th Annual Hometown Huddle
Kids from Highland Park Boys & Girls Club to Benefit
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- United Way for Southeastern Michigan is teaming up with the Detroit Lions and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan for the 10th Annual Hometown Huddle to be held on Tuesday, October 7, at the Fauver-Martin Club located at 24 Ferris Avenue in Highland Park. Detroit Lions players, volunteers and local area youth will participate in several exercise activities and also will refurbish a fitness room at the club. The event will take place from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Hometown Huddle will help promote the NFL Play 60 campaign that encourages kids to get at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. Approximately $35,000 will be invested into the club for new workout systems and the fitness room renovation.
“Keeping youth active and physically fit is an important component to their overall health and well-being, said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “United Way is proud to participate in this project that specifically addresses that basic need. This is a win-win partnership between organizations that are committed to mentoring and developing youth, and it is a tremendous example of what can be accomplished when we all work together.”
Detroit is one of 32 cities participating in Hometown Huddle. Once a year, NFL teams join forces with United Way for a national day of community service. NFL players from each of the 32 teams put down their shoulder pads and pick up a paintbrush, a box of canned goods or hop on an exercise bike to lend a hand to members of their communities.
"The NFL and the Lions have enjoyed a rewarding relationship with United Way for more than three decades,” said Tom Lewand, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Lions. “We are excited about this opportunity to bring together our long-standing partners to promote the importance of getting daily exercise for the children at the Boys & Girls Club.”
The United Way and the Lions will donate a HOPSports Training System to the Highland Park club. Lions’ players, children and United Way volunteers will exercise to the state-of-art HOPSports System that utilizes videos and music to get kids active. Also, paintbrushes will be the gear of the day as several players, volunteers and kids will renovate the club’s fitness room into the newly named “Lions’ Den” that will feature exercise equipment and big screen televisions equipped with Wii fitness programs.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan is very grateful to all of our partners for their commitment and support in offering our youth a positive opportunity to improve their health, well-being and lifestyle while having fun,” said Len Krichko, President & CEO.
Among the Lions’ players scheduled to participate are: Jordon Dizon, Allen Ervin, Andre Fluellen, Eric Fowler, Mike Furrey, Michael Gaines, Jason Hanson, Nick Harris, Calvin Johnson, Shaun McDonald, Brandon Middleton, Langston Moore, Ryan Nece, Dan Orlovsky, Cory Redding, Corey Smith, Kevin Smith, Drew Stanton and Roy Williams.
Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL Play 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with an impressive roster of partner organization – Action for Healthy Kids, Ad Council, American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Home Depot, HOPSports, Kellogg’s, JC Penney, National Dairy Council, Nickelodeon, Nike, United Way, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Since the program was launched last year, the NFL has committed $90 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for public service announcements.
“Our players recognize the value of staying healthy and it’s important that young fans also understand the benefits of exercise,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Play 60 is a significant tool in ensuring children get their necessary daily physical activity.”
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