The John Rex Endowment set a new priority in 2006 to promote healthy weight in Wake County's children.
Through the Healthy Weight Initiative, the John Rex Endowment invests in innovative projects to create environments in various settings which encourage healthy choices, improve access to nutritious foods and increase opportunities for physical activity.
Turn a park walk into an outdoor adventure for children with A Closer Look, a new series of 12 etched, metal plates featuring images of native plants and animals along 1.25 miles of trails at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Families can search for each unique plate and make their own plate rubbings along the way. A helpful guide, LOOK FOR ME, is available at the museum. Just remember to bring along paper and crayons!
The Hands-On Health team at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is helping build a community garden at Alliance Medical Ministry. Will Allen, founder and CEO of Growing Power Inc., helped the Food Shuttle kick off the new garden in early April 2010. The John Rex Endowment supports the community gardens through the Hands-On Health project which is funded by the Healthy Weight Initiative.
The Ballroom Dance Club at Washington GT Magnet Elementary received a visit from WRAL-TV Anchor Renee Chou as they practiced for a spring celebration waltz performance. See the story and video on WRAL.com. The dance club is part of Washington Elementary’s CREATE program which is supported by a three-year Wake to Wellness grant from the John Rex Endowment through the Healthy Weight Initiative.
Dig In!, a community gardening event planned by Advocates for Health in Action (AHA), attracted 170 people to Marbles Kids Museum Saturday, April 17 to learn about building, maintaining and sustaining neighborhood, faith-based, business, non-profit and school gardens.
Get moving at Cary’s Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival Saturday, April 24, 9 am to 5 pm, at Fred G. Bond Metro Park. The 2010 festival includes a Fitness Trail with stops along the way featuring activities for all ages. The first 600 visitors to the Fitness Stop near the information tent receive a free pedometer as part of the Fit Cary Pedometer Challenge. The free pedometers and Fitness Stops have been incorporated into Spring Daze as part of an Active Communities and Neighborhoods grant from the John Rex Endowment.
Power2Play
Kids pedal, skate, leap and play hard while learning about healthy food choices at this latest exhibit at Marbles Kids Museum. The exhibit is part of a Healthy Active Families initiative.
Kids Learn Manners, Moves at Ballroom Dance Club
Fifth graders show off their new moves while participating at Washington Elementary Ballroom Dance Club which is one of many activities offered through a Wake to Wellness school grant.
Baucom Buddies Go the Distance
Nearly 350 students, in kindergarten through fifth grade, completed the final 1.2 miles of a "marathon" together in March. Baucom Elementary is one of 15 elementary schools receiving support through a Wake to Wellness grant.
[More Healthy Weight Initiative In The News]
The John Rex Endowment provides support for Advocates for Health in Action, a group of diverse organizations and community members who are shaping the environment throughout Wake County so healthful eating and physical activity are the way of life. For information, call Laura Aiken at (919) 350-8366.
As our community works together, new environments and resources are rapidly evolving. Learn more about the steps grant recipients and community groups are taking toward healthy weight for children.