MEDIA ADVISORY
Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Philadelphia Union host student soccer clinic
Students participating as part of the Foundation’s ‘Healthy Futures’ programPhiladelphia, PA – October 12, 2015
What:
The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) and Philadelphia Union will host 80 fourth and fifth grade students — and their parents — from Healthy Futures schools at an after-school soccer clinic at PPL Park, the Philadelphia Union’s home stadium. Students will practice their soccer skills with a Philadelphia Union player on the field while parents and siblings watch from the sidelines.
Healthy Futures is a three-year, $3 million comprehensive, collaborative approach to combating obesity and improving child wellness in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Healthy Futures focuses on three components of healthy living — “Eat Right,” “Get Fit” and “Stay Well” — each brought to life in area schools through partnerships with national and regional leaders with expertise in nutrition, fitness and preventative health care. Launched in August 2013, Healthy Futures now offers programming in 25 regional schools, directly impacting more than 1,000 students and their families.
As part of “Get Fit,” the Philadelphia Union visits schools to teach students about exercise and ways to stay healthy. These special events feature fitness activities for the kids and personalized soccer skills training with select Philadelphia Union players. The players also talk to the kids about leading healthy lifestyles, including the importance of eating a healthy breakfast and getting enough sleep.
When:
Friday, October 12, 2015, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Where:
Philadelphia Union’s practice facilities located next to PPL Park
One Stadium Drive
Chester, PA 19013
Who:
Philadelphia Union soccer player Brian Carroll
80 fourth and fifth grade students from Healthy Futures schools throughout the region
Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation
About the Independence Blue Cross Foundation
The Independence Blue Cross Foundation is a charitable, private foundation, whose mission is leading solutions for a healthier community. The foundation targets the following areas of impact:
- Securing the Blue Safety Net: Supporting private, nonprofit community health center clinics that provide access to quality, affordable healthcare in medically underserved areas.
- Bolstering the Health Care Workforce: Strengthening the nursing, primary care, and allied health workforce through education, career development, and research.
- Addressing Health Priorities: Collaborating with wellness partners to tackle the region’s most pressing health challenges; currently combating the obesity epidemic through the IBC Foundation Healthy Futures Initiative.
- Building Healthy Communities: Partnering with community leaders and programs to address community health and wellness needs.
Learn more by visiting our website: www.ibxfoundation.org. Connect with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation on Twitter at @ibxfdn.
Media contact
Ruth Stoolman
Independence Blue Cross
215-241-4807 (office)
215-280-3335 (cell)
ruth.stoolman@ibx.com