NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Joins United Way of NYC to Boost Youth Health Through Annual Hometown Huddle Program

High Resolution Photos Available: http://UnitedWayNYC.org/HHPress

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Oct 23, 2014, 02:50 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, October 21, close to 100 NFL employees and Commissioner Roger Goodell teamed up with United Way of New York City for the 2014 Hometown Huddle, a key component of a nationwide strategy to help local youth lead active and healthy lifestyles. The NFL and United Way have a 40+ year history of positively impacting communities. This event is part of a 16-year tradition in which both organizations come together for a league-wide day of service designed to elevate the issue of youth health and wellness. Jaiquawn Jarrett of the New York Jets also participated in the day's activities.

"We are incredibly proud of United Way's 40+ year partnership with the NFL and are so grateful to be able to give back to our communities and promote active and healthy lifestyles," said Sheena Wright, President and CEO, United Way of New York City. "We were thrilled to hold our annual Hometown Huddle event this year at P.S. 154 in Mott Haven, which is supported by United Way of New York City's ReadNYC program, our campaign for grade-level reading."

At P.S. 154, located in Mott Haven in the Bronx, one of the lowest income communities in New York City, NFL volunteers painted two murals, built fitness equipment, refurbished the dance room, beautified the school garden and painted games like hopscotch and four square onto the school blacktop. NFL volunteers also facilitated Play 60 fitness clinics and created home garden kits so that the students can plant their own gardens, emphasizing the importance of having an active, healthy lifestyle.

"We were so pleased to work alongside United Way volunteers nationwide on our league-wide day of service," said Anna Isaacson, Vice President of Social Responsibility, National Football League. "We are proud that, together with United Way and our teams, we were able to make positive lasting impact in communities and give kids safe places to Play 60."

P.S. 154 is supported by United Way of New York City's ReadNYC initiative, which aims to boost literacy and improve education outcomes in our lowest income communities. Only 1 in 10 children in the school's neighborhood read on grade level by the third grade. Studies show that children who do not read at grade level by third grade are 70% less likely to graduate from high school. ReadNYC specifically targets grade level reading to help our students succeed.

High resolution photos from the event are available at http://unitedwaynyc.org/hhpress.

For media inquiries contact Rida Bint Fozi at The TASC Group at 212-337-8870 or [email protected].

About United Way of New York City
For more than 75 years, United Way of New York City has been the activist inside, working deep within the system to weave a net of interconnected solutions to catch our poorest neighbors. We orchestrate hundreds of partners in a symphony of hope, and mobilize communities to break down barriers and build opportunities that improve the lives of low-income New Yorkers for the benefit of all. We help ensure that short-term needs are being met while simultaneously working on long-term solutions to the city's most intractable problems. We envision caring communities where all individuals and families have access to quality education and the opportunity to lead healthy and financially secure lives. We are the activists inside, working to make New York City work for every New Yorker. Follow, Like and Pin us, and learn more at unitedwaynyc.org.

Contact:
Rida Bint Fozi – 212-337-8870
[email protected]

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SOURCE United Way of New York City