Governor Walker Celebrates Health and Wellness Achievements at Three Wisconsin Schools

Appleton – Governor Scott Walker joined Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, as well as students and teachers of Badger Elementary School in a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center. Washington Middle School in Kenosha and Lincoln Center of the Arts in Milwaukee also held ribbon cutting ceremonies today for their DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers. The three winning schools earned the title of National Fitness Champions and were awarded the fitness centers for demonstrating new and innovative ways to promote physical activity and wellness.

“We recognize the important role physical fitness and a good diet play in helping our kids grow up happy and healthy,” Governor Walker said. “We’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Badger Elementary, Washington Middle, and Lincoln Center of the Arts today at the groundbreaking ceremonies of their new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers. It’s crucial our kids start to build healthy habits today, and these new fitness centers will help them incorporate physical activity into their daily routines, which leads to healthy lives into adulthood.”

The goal of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils is to build a nation of the fittest and healthiest kids in the world. Physical activity and exercise are shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life, and reduce health care costs. In schools, studies show that physical activity improves academic achievement, increases confidence and self-esteem, reduces discipline problems, reduces absenteeism, and fosters stronger interpersonal relationships.

“Governor Walker welcomed us into Wisconsin to help inspire students to make healthy choices and make physical activity part of their daily routine, and it’s paid off,” said Jake Steinfeld. “Today, we are visiting three Wisconsin schools to cut the ribbon at their new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers. Badger Elementary, Washington Middle, and Lincoln Center of the Arts are leading the way to get fit and have taken my motto of DON’T QUIT! to heart. What makes this program even more attractive is the fact it doesn’t rely on taxpayer dollars but is fully funded through public/private partnerships with companies like Coca-Cola, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, and Nike!”

By the end of 2016, the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils will have delivered 57 fitness centers to schools in 19 states. The foundation plans to bring its challenge to all 50 states in the upcoming years.

To celebrate the commitment of Wisconsin schools to staying fit and healthy, Governor Walker also proclaimed the month of October as DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month. A copy of the DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month proclamation is attached.

To learn more about the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, visit www.natgovfit.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.