Topics: Physical Activity, Wellness
As employees of the NEA Health Information Network (NEA
HIN), it is not very often that we, as staff, have the opportunity to go into
schools and work alongside parents and community members on volunteer projects.
However, through one of our partner organizations, Action for Healthy Kids, the NEA
HIN staff was able to volunteer at a local DC public school for the day.
Our staff worked alongside volunteers from FCC LA, NASBE,
and other organizations as part of Action for Healthy Kids Get in the Action at
Martin Luther
King Elementary
School in Southeast D.C. The
individuals that attended the event demonstrated how passionate volunteers can
improve school health environments, and work together towards a shared goal.
The afternoon involved painting a physical education classroom, installing
athletic and physical fitness equipment, cleaning the black top outside, and
painting over what had become a faded map of the United States, four square, hop
scotch, and an alphabet caterpillar in the school yard.
The work was hard, but with a little bit of help from some
students at MLK Elementary and a lot of elbow grease we were able to finish all
of the projects the school had asked us to complete . NEA HIN Executive Director Jerry
Newberry even rolled up his
sleeves and helped to paint the fitness center and black top, “While completing
our day-to-day office paper work, it is easy to forget the importance of what
happens in schools. By repainting a map of the United States (with state’s
abbreviations) and by painting the walls of the indoor physical education room,
our half day of work can now benefit hundreds of young minds each day”.
To see more pictures from this event click here, and happy
volunteering!