Schools Across Alabama Rewarded for Addressing Childhood Obesity

In 2012, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) began their Be Healthy School Grant Program. The grant program was created to incentivise and enable schools across the state to implement school-based health and wellness initiatives for children grades K through 12. Since then, the company has awarded over $3.2 million, impacting over 168,000 students through 356 Be Healthy School grants. This year, BCBSAL is awarding over $318,000 in grants to 36 schools statewide, representing 17,000 students. In Jefferson county alone, 8 schools have been awarded a grant up to $10,000: Arrington Elementary, Deer Valley Elementary, Bryan Elementary, i3 Academy, Leeds Elementary, Midfield Elementary, Miracle Academy Private Christian School, and Phillips Academy. “This program provides schools additional funding for the resources they need to help teach their students healthy lifestyle habits that will hopefully last a lifetime,” says Tim King, Community Relations Manager, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. These grants will fund the purchase of new physical education equipment, inclusive playground systems, and other items that promote physical activity and nutritional education. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is committed to helping prevent childhood obesity, and the company’s investment into school systems in order to help them encourage students to be active and take care of their bodies will no doubt leave a lasting impact statewide. To learn more about the Be Healthy School Grant Program, visit bcbsal.org.