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Applications open for Buffalo-area schools to apply for Get Moving Grant

Submitted

Wed, Nov 3rd 2021 03:35 pm

American Heart Association grant program awards funding for physical activity equipment.

Submitted by the American Heart Association

Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity is key to immediate and long-term health for children. That is why the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, the National Football League and the Buffalo Bills are encouraging schools to get students moving for an opportunity to win a $1,500 grant for physical activity equipment.

The Get Moving Grant application process is open from Nov. 1-29. To participate, schools should visit the online NFL PLAY 60 exercise library, created in collaboration with the 32 NFL clubs, to recreate their hometown team video. The library features team created, family-friendly exercises to help kids get their recommended 60-minutes of daily physical activity.

“The Buffalo Bills are proud to partner with the Buffalo-Niagara American Heart Association each year on youth health and wellness programs for children in our community,” said Preston Teague, senior director of community relations and youth football for the Buffalo Bills. “Advocating for children to be physically active and make healthy eating decisions is an important part of our community outreach. Opportunities like the Get Moving Grant program provide much-needed awareness and resources to our schools to enhance this outreach, and we encourage schools to participate this November.”

Demonstrating school and Bills spirit paired with an excitement for physical activity, schools will post their videos to social media to officially enter. Videos will be reviewed by a panel, and one school per NFL market (for a total of 32 schools nationwide) will receive a grant for physical activity equipment. Of the 32 schools, one will receive recognition as the national winner receiving an additional $1,500 for physical activity equipment. The Buffalo-area winning school will be named on Jan. 12, 2022.

Rooted in science, NFL PLAY 60 helps children to develop healthy habits for a better chance of a healthy adulthood. The program encourages kids to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (per Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx).

“Moving more is an important part of both physical and mental health for kids,” said Jason Stulb, executive director of the Buffalo-Niagara American Heart Association. “Research has shown healthy behaviors are important in the classroom as active kids learn better. When kids are active, they focus more, think more clearly, react to stress more calmly, and perform and behave better in the classroom. We’re proud to work with the Buffalo Bills to help gives kids this opportunity.”

The NFL and the American Heart Association have teamed up since 2006 to inspire kids through a fun and engaging way to get physically active. The impact of physical activity on overall mental and physical wellness are essential to help children grow to reach their full potential. Information on the grant process and additional NFL PLAY 60 resources can be found online at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.

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