Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge Program Awards $605,000 in Grants to 75 Pennsylvan...( The Highmark Foundation increases it...),Health

The Highmark Foundation increases its commitment to schools by allocating

additional funds for the program

PITTSBURGH, April 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Highmark Foundation, through the Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge, recently awarded $605,000 in grants to 75 elementary, middle and high schools across Pennsylvania. The grants will support programs that address bullying prevention and self-esteem, improve nutrition education, enhance nutrition choices and provide opportunities for physical activity.

"Through the Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge, we have asked schools to help us help children," said Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook. "We know that schools play a vital role in the lives of children and adolescents and we are proud to provide them with the resources and tools that will improve the health status of their students."

Due to the overwhelming response received from schools, the board of the Highmark Foundation at its March 2008 meeting also approved an additional $1.5 million to be awarded through the Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge during the remainder of this year. Last year, the Foundation announced its intention to award a total of $1 million in grants through the School Challenge in 2008; however, the School Challenge now has the resources to award a total of $2.5 million this year.

Also new in 2008, the Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge expanded to award grants for programs that focus on bullying prevention and self-esteem. In past years, School Challenge grants were awarded only to physical activity and nutrition initiatives.

"We know that physical activity and nutrition programs are beneficial to helping children live longer, healthier lives," said Cook. "However, bullying is a serious issue in schools and we believe that it needs to be addressed. By supporting bullying prevention programs, we are working to improve the overall health, well-
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