Local Children’s Health Crusader Receives National Honor
Action for Healthy Kids, America’s largest non-profit volunteer organization working with schools to fight childhood obesity and improve children’s health, has named Palm Beach County School District’s Eric Stern a ‘Healthy School Hero,’ a national honor bestowed on just five individuals each year for their commitment to making schools – and children – healthier. Nominated by his peers, Mr. Stern received the award at a ceremony in Chicago during the launch of Get in the Action, Action for Healthy Kids’ new national healthy school service initiative.
Mr. Stern oversees physical education programs for the School District, and is a leader in mobilizing students, parents, staff and community members to take action for healthier children in South Florida. Since 2007, he has coordinated the Ronald McDonald House Charities Kids Read, Run & Recycle Marathon Mile, an event that educates kids about the benefits of fitness and good nutrition and addresses the national childhood obesity epidemic by creating a new wave of young runners. The run has added more than 10,000 new participants during his tenure.
Mr. Stern has made additional contributions to the fight against childhood obesity and undernourishment through his involvement with the Florida Action for Healthy Kids team as well as other prominent national and state organizations including the Coordinated School Health Partnership and Florida Alliance for Physical & Health Education, Recreation Dance and Sport, for whom he is incoming president.
“Children who eat right and are physically active learn better. We are proud to honor Eric Stern for reaching out to thousands of Palm Beach County youth to improve their lives and make schools healthier for all children,” says Rob Bisceglie, executive director of Action for Healthy Kids. “His efforts truly exemplify a ‘healthy school hero.’”
Four other Healthy School Heroes – from Maryland, Kentucky, Washington and Kansas – were also cited for their unfailing commitment to healthy children and schools.
About Action for Healthy Kids
Action for Healthy Kids® is the nation’s leading nonprofit and largest volunteer network fighting childhood obesity and undernourishment by helping schools become healthier places and our kids learn to eat right, be active every day and be ready to learn. A collaboration of more than 70 organizations, corporations and government agencies supports grassroots efforts by thousands of volunteers nationwide. Last school year, Action for Healthy Kids reached more than 4.5 million students in 9,200 schools.
More information, including photos of children in action, is available at www.ActionForHealthyKids.org and on Facebook and on Twitter.
