Sticks-2-Schools Lacrosse Program Fights Childhood Obesity in 77 Schools
Nonprofit Surpasses Goal with Addition of Five Schools in San Jose, Pleasanton, Saratoga
Pleasanton, CA – March 9, 2009 – Sticks-2-Schools (S2S), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting childhood obesity by encouraging youth to become more active, has surpassed its 2009 goal of reaching a total of 75 Greater Bay Area schools since its founding in 2005. Five new schools joined the program this month: Alisal Elementary School (Pleasanton), Hoover Middle School (San Jose), Redwood Middle School (Saratoga), South Valley Family YMCA (San Jose) and West Valley Middle School (San Jose). The program has now given children at 77 schools the opportunity to learn how playing lacrosse can help them have fun getting fit.
Sticks-2-Schools teaches “soft lacrosse,” a co-ed, non-contact version of the sport that can be played indoors or out. In a series of visits, an S2S team coordinates lacrosse lessons and games for the students. At least one player from the San Jose Stealth, the Bay Area’s professional indoor lacrosse team, makes on-site visits to the school to encourage the children to have fun while learning new physical skills.
“More than 40,000 children at 77 schools have participated in the S2S program. That’s quite an achievement for a young nonprofit. The advantages of being fit extend to all aspects of a child’s life and we are determined to keep physical activity a part of their school day,” said Denise Watkins, owner of the San Jose Stealth and an S2S board member.
Most health care professionals agree that when a physical activity is fun, children will be more inclined to participate and thus reduce the risk of becoming obese. In addition to improving their health, the connection between physical fitness and improved academic performance has been recognized by the California Teachers Association.
“Our generous sponsors are helping us supplement PE programs that have fallen victim to budget cuts. Since 2005, Sticks-2-Schools has raised more than $100,000 and will continue to fight childhood obesity by bringing the program to as many schools as possible this season,” said Eric Venzon, Sticks-2-Schools co-founder and CEO of Teamwrkx.
About Sticks-2-Schools
Sticks-2-Schools (www.sticks2schools.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, public-benefit corporation founded in 2005 to help fight childhood obesity by motivating youth to increase their level of physical activity. Focusing on the sport of lacrosse, S2S coordinates and leads a collaboration of sponsors, equipment manufacturers, athletes, teachers and staff to support PE programs in Bay Area elementary, middle and high schools. Through the support of founding partners Teamwrkx, the San Jose Stealth and c3PR Public Relations, and financial contributions from dozens of private companies and individuals, the program has reached more than 40,000 youth in 77 Greater Bay Area schools since 2005. More information is available from Program Coordinator Breanna Kernan at 925-460-8290.
Close