Action for Healthy Kids® and CSX Help 225 Schools Create Healthy Learning Environments in the 2018-2019 School Year

News provided by

Sep 13, 2018, 09:26 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Action for Healthy Kids® (AFHK) announces 225 recipients of school grants provided through funding from CSX Transportation for the 2018-2019 school year. Awarded in 22 states and Washington D.C., the grants provide schools with funding and technical support using AFHK's Game On program to help expand student access to in-school physical activity and healthy foods, improve knowledge and behaviors around exercise and nutrition, and engage parents in activities that reinforce healthy habits at home.

Through the grants, AFHK helps schools develop school health teams, which are critical to creating healthy schools, assess their school health environment, and successfully implement nutrition and physical activity initiatives. Ranging from $500 to help returning grantees sustain their programs and $1,000 for new grantees, schools use grant funds to support:

physical activity initiatives, such as funding for physical education, active indoor and outdoor recess, classroom energizers, walking and running clubs, and before- and after-school programs; and
nutrition initiatives, such as nutrition education, school gardens, taste tests, and healthy classroom parties and celebrations that introduce students to the value of a healthy diet.

AFHK and CSX are also planning four service days this fall at which CSX employees will volunteer with AFHK at schools to refurbish and beautify play spaces, brighten cafeterias with murals to inspire healthy habits, plant school gardens, and much more.

"Through our continued partnership with CSX, we are helping more schools each year improve nutrition, physical activity and health-promoting policies and practices for the long term," said Rob Bisceglie, CEO, Action for Healthy Kids. "These much-needed resources help schools not only improve the health habits of their students but also help them demonstrate the link between physical activity, good nutrition and learning."

"As a transportation services provider, CSX understands the importance of creating connections, and we want to help kids connect with activities that help them develop healthy habits for their entire lives," said Bryan Tucker, who oversees the CSX Community Investment Program. "Through our work with AFHK, we are also able to connect our employees and the communities in which we operate with opportunities to engage in healthy activities and support their local schools."

Additionally, with CSX support, 600 school health teams nationwide will be trained on how to advance local school wellness policies, school health programming, and parent engagement in school wellness efforts. CSX also sponsors Action for Healthy Kids' Every Kid Healthy Coalition and Urban School Wellness Coalition.

For a complete list of schools funded by CSX in the 2018-2019 school year, visit ActionforHealthyKids.org/CSX.

About Action for Healthy Kids®
Action for Healthy Kids® is a nationwide grassroots network mobilizing school professionals, families and communities to take actions that improve school foods, nutrition education and physical education for all students. With funding opportunities, expert technical assistance, and our flagship program, Game On, Action for Healthy Kids provides full support to schools and families to develop healthy school environments where children thrive. To learn more about the ways our 150,000+ volunteer network is helping to make every kid healthy and ready to learn, visit us at ActionforHealthyKids.org, on Facebook (act4healthykids) and on Twitter (@Act4HlthyKids).

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

SOURCE Action for Healthy Kids