| MENDOTA
HEIGHTS, MN – March 21, 2011 – For a second
year, representatives from Everlast Climbing traveled to
Capitol Hill to participate in the annual National Health
Through Fitness Day. Joining them were celebrity athletes,
as well as sporting goods and fitness manufacturers, physical
educators and association leaders in an effort to highlight
the need to fund programs encouraging physical activity.
PlayCore and Everlast Climbing were two of more than 40
corporate sponsors of the March 2 event, which was organized
by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.
The
consortium met with U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators
to discuss the importance of federal funding to support quality
physical education in schools and encourage more physical activity
for families by making it more affordable. Specifically, Congress
was asked to approve the Carol M. White Physical Education
Program (PEP) in Fiscal Year 2012. This program provides the
only dedicated federal money to school districts and community-based
organizations for physical education and innovative physical
activity methods.
Kim
Harder and Kurt Muchow from Everlast Climbing remarked that
support for PEP funding makes a big difference in the health
and fitness of our country’s youth. “It was a magical
experience to rally around such an important cause, and it
was inspiring to see so many of my childhood sports heroes
talk about how physical education got them where they are today,” said
Muchow.
Harder
and Muchow held meetings with nine congressional offices and
personally met Congresswoman Linda Sánchez of California,
who said she sees firsthand the value of the PEP program as
schools in her congressional district have benefited from $1.4
million in PEP funding over the years.
A
recent study by the Physical Activity Council reports that
the more physical education children receive the more active
they are outside of school. In addition, people who never had
physical education in school are 2.7 times more likely to be
sedentary compared with those who participated in physical
education. In a time when more and more Americans are inactive,
the need for programs like PEP is crucial to the health of
our nation.
“It
was great to see such tremendous support for PEP across party
lines,” said Harder. “And it was an amazing experience
to be a part of democracy in action and to be around others
who share our corporate commitment to improving youth fitness.”
About
Everlast Climbing Industries, Inc.
Everlast Climbing is committed to improving youth fitness with dynamic and
innovative products that engage children and inspire physical activity. The
company is headquartered in Mendota Heights, and is part of EverActive Brands,
a division of PlayCore of Chattanooga, TN. More information is available about
Everlast Climbing att www.traversewall.com.
More information is available about PlayCore at www.playcore.com.
More information about The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association is available
at www.sgma.com.
Contact: Mertyce
Mrvos - 651-665-9131 - mertyce@traversewall.com |
