The Highmark Foundation Awards $4 Million in Highmark Healthy High 5 Grants to Two Nonprofit Org...( Physical activity nutrition and sel...),Health

Physical activity, nutrition and self-esteem programs receive expansion

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PITTSBURGH, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The Highmark Foundation recently awarded $4 million in grants to two nonprofit organizations through its Highmark Healthy High 5 initiative. The grants will support a nutrition and physical activity program and a self-esteem initiative, both available throughout Highmark's service area.

"Increased awareness of physical activity, nutrition and self-esteem can help encourage healthy and positive behaviors in children," said Yvonne Cook, president of the Highmark Foundation. "Through these grants, we are helping to expand these proven programs to touch the lives of even more children and promote healthier lifestyles to a broader audience."

The following grants were awarded under the Highmark Foundation's Highmark Healthy High 5 initiative.

Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center (York County)

The Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center (Byrnes HEC) was awarded $3.5 million over two years to support the development and expansion of the http://www.Learntobehealthy.org Web site throughout the communities served by the Highmark Foundation. LearntobeHealthy.org plans to build a community component and create an e-commerce element within the site to support long-term sustainability.

LearntobeHealthy.org provides free interactive and educational resources to inspire thousands of students with positive messages and dynamic Web-based material that encourages healthy eating and increased physical activity. The site also provides teachers and parents with student health science activities and lesson plans.

Through the grant, the expanded LearntobeHealthy.org site intends to reach at least 250,000 students by 2009.

The mission of Byrnes HEC is to educate and inspire people of all ages to make healthy choices. Byr
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