[September 06, 2013]

BOKS Ambassador Shaquille O'Neal Announces an Incentive Program to Bring Physical Activity to Schools

Today, BOKS ambassador Shaquille O'Neal along with First Lady, Michelle Obama, announce the BOKS Activation Grant -- an incentive offered to public and private elementary schools across the country. BOKS, an initiative of Reebok and the Reebok Foundation, is a free before-school physical activity program for kids. By visiting BOKSKids.org, anyone interested in implementing the program can apply to receive $1,000 to use, as they see fit to support BOKS in their school (suggested uses found within the application on BOKSKIDS.org).

"Right now, we're truly at a pivotal moment - a tipping point when the message is just starting to break through, when new habits are just beginning to take hold, and we're seeing the very first glimmer of the kind of transformational change that we're capable of making in this country," Mrs. Obama told the audience at Orr Elementary School. "And if we keep pushing forward, we have the potential to transform the health of an entire generation of young people."

Started by a group of Massachusetts moms in 2009, BOKS has experienced tremendous growth and acceptance by leaders in the physical activity space. The success of BOKS can be attributed to it being a free program, which is easy to implement, and all the necessary information is readily available on BOKSKids.org. With the overarching goal of bringing BOKS to as many kids as possible, BOKS developed the activation grant to provide schools that do not currently run the program with a meaningful incentive to get the program started.

"Physical activity has always been a part of my life and in turn my children's lives, but that's not the case for everyone," says Shaquille O'Neal. "Too many kids are not getting enough physical activity on a day-to-day basis and we need to get involved. BOKS gives kids that opportunity and it makes me proud to be an ambassador for the organization."

"One of the biggest benefits of BOKS is that it creates a healthier whole child affecting them physically, mentally and socially, and takes just one parent, teacher, or volunteer to step up and bring the program to their school," says Kathleen Tullie, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the BOKS program. "Having Shaquille O'Neal on board and the support of the First Lady to announce the BOKS Activation Grant is such a huge moment for us. We want to reward schools who make an effort to bring BOKS to their school, ultimately benefiting our community as a whole."

With the assistance of ChildObesity180's Active Schools Acceleration Grant program, and collaboration from other nationally recognized organizations including The Partnership for a Healthier America and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the BOKS program is expected to grow to more than 600 schools by year end, and 1,000 by 2015.

Enrollment for the BOKS Activation Grant is now open and will run through December 2013. Entries will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. For more information on BOKS and to enter your school in the BOKS Activation Grant please visit www.BOKSkids.org.

To learn more about Let's Move! Active Schools please go to www.letsmoveschools.org.

About BOKS (Build Our Kids' Success)

BOKS, Build Our Kids' Success, is a before school physical activity program backed by Reebok and the Reebok Foundation. Founded on the principle Active Kids = Active Minds, BOKS was created by a group of moms after reading Dr. John Ratey's book Spark, which states that "exercise is the single most powerful tool that we have to optimize the function of our brains." The goal of the BOKS program is to enhance academic performance and the overall health of kids through physical activity. The uniqueness of the program is that it takes place before school begins and studies have shown that exercise before school is the key to improving classroom performance and behavior. The program, run by moms, dads, P.E. teachers and all other types of volunteers in local communities, is simple to implement. BOKS is currently in close to 400 schools around the world. To bring BOKS to your community, please visit BOKSKids.org for more information.

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