Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles Host National "Triple Play Day" Helping Youth Form Healthy Habits

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Leading up to Triple Play Day, 10 events were held across the country to rally Club members to participate in a wide variety of engaging activities to ensure they were moving, thinking and working together. Triple Play is Boys & Girls Clubs of America's signature health and wellness program supported by the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc., and The Coca-Cola Company.  Through the program, Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide introduced kids and teens to best practices for physical health, such as fitness and nutrition, combined with critical attention towards social and emotional wellness. With more than three out of 10 young people considered obese or overweight in the United States, early education and active, socially engaging programming for youth is more critical than ever for a healthier future. Boys & Girls Clubs of America's goal is to achieve comprehensive, overall well-being that will last a lifetime for all youth.

The Triple Day event at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C. included obstacle courses, soccer and running challenges, giant Jenga and Connect Four games, as well as yoga, trust and teamwork exercises. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles helped to kick-off the event, motivating kids at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country to start healthy habits at a young age and work toward instilling strength from a physical, mental and emotional standpoint.  

"Boys & Girls Clubs of America is working with youth nationwide to get a head start on a healthy lifestyle, as learning the importance of health and wellness is a crucial component in setting kids and teens on the path to a great future," said Jennifer Bateman, National Vice President of program, operations and leadership development, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Through Triple Play, in partnership with the Anthem Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company, we offer Club youth a wide range of health and wellness-focused programs that extend beyond physical activity and proper nutrition to include social and emotional well-being, creating a more holistic approach to long-term health."

The countdown celebration events to Triple Play Day were held in the following cities throughout June and July:

• Milwaukee, WI
• Denver, CO
• Seattle, WA
• San Jose, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Albuquerque, NM
• New Orleans, LA
• Miami, FL
• Columbus, GA
• Portland, ME

"At Anthem, we want to support programs that equip kids with the knowledge, support and practical tips they need to be active, and live a healthy balanced lifestyle that they can take with them in to adulthood," said Dr. Stephen Friedhoff, Senior Vice President of Clinical Strategy and Programs for Anthem, Inc. "That's why our Foundation is proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring the Triple Play program to millions of kids and teens across the country. Events like today's will help put us on the right path to creating a healthier generation of Americans."

"At The Coca-Cola Company, we believe that our business can only be as strong as the communities we serve, and that is why we have proudly supported the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the past 71 years", said Erika Von Heiland Strader, Director Community Marketing, Coca-Cola North America.  "Boys & Girls Clubs of America is one of this country's most important youth-serving agencies, helping strengthen local communities by providing support and role models for young men and women through more than 4,000 Clubs across the country."

For more information on the Triple Play program, go to www.bgca.org/tripleplay.

About Triple Play
Sponsored by The Anthem Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company, Triple Play is Boys & Girls Clubs of America's signature health and wellness program. Triple Play began in 2005 and focuses on nutrition and health education, access to healthy meals, and teaching youth how to commit to fitness as well as positive relationship building and self-confidence elements. Learn more about the program at www.bgca.org/tripleplay.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,300 Clubs serve four million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America

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