Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Awards Presented...( HARRISBURG Pa. Nov. 13 -- School...),Health

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Schools, individuals and groups that have developed innovative ways to engage people in exercise received awards today from the Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Physical Activity, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The award program honors local efforts to significantly increase physical activity in communities, workplaces or schools. The program recognizes up to seven award winners each year who receive a certificate and $2,000 to invest in their physical fitness program.

The award recipients for 2008 are:

-- Healthcheck F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Senior Wellness Center (Northampton County)

-- Mt. Pleasant Area School District (Westmoreland County)

-- Newport Elementary School (Perry County)

-- Seneca Valley Swim Club (Butler County)

-- Shamona Creek Elementary School (Chester County)

-- United Way of Lackawanna County (Lackawanna County)

-- Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center Staff (Washington County)

The Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports was established through a 1997 Executive Order. The council's mission is to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians by providing leadership that promotes physically active lifestyles and links families, communities, schools, worksites, health care and media.

The awards program is an initiative of the Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Individuals or groups submit nominations to the Department of Health each year and award determinations are made by the council during public meetings. To learn more about this initiative, visit http://www.health.state.pa.us.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Award recipient program details are listed below:

Healthcheck F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Healthcheck Senior Wellness Center

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Fun, Relaxing, Invigor
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