ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - For the 8th year, Activate Allen County has awarded several local school districts funding for projects that improve the mental and physical health of their students.
Each year, Activate Allen County partners with Mercy Health St. Rita's and the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board for the Activated School Challenge. The winning districts are awarded up to $2,500 to use towards a project that can make improve the mental and physical well-being of their students, like standing desks for children who struggle to sit still, items for sensory rooms, or physical trainers for students with disabilities.
Waynesfield-Goshen is receiving funding for the third time, and this year it will go towards purchasing new equipment to develop a more engaging gym class curriculum.
"We want kids to be lifelong learners and participate in physical activity later in life so we want them to find things that they really enjoy in school, that they'll continue to do later, so that they can stay physically active, not just when they're in Phys. Ed.," explained Jocelyn Hennon, a physical education teacher at Waynesfield-Goshen.
The initiatives and upgrades made possible by the Activated School Challenge award don't just benefit current students. They'll make a difference for years to come. This year, Bath is using its funding to create a space for gaga ball, a game similar to dodgeball. They also won last year and were able to create a safe crosswalk that helps more than just their students.
"We have had like a ripple effect from last year. We connected sidewalks for physical activity. Kids can walk to school, I mean, we've seen more people walking their dogs around. Like, just increased physical activity," said Kendall Walsh, Bath Middle School.
For Mercy Health St. Rita's, supporting the challenge is just one of the many ways they can promote health and wellness beyond the walls of their facilities.
"Teaching these children how to be healthy now, and taking that into their future, but also going back to their families, and being able to teach their families and educate their families and friends about how to be healthy, and then take that throughout their entire lives," commented Ann Stiles, community affairs coordinator at Mercy Health-St. Rita's.
The other districts receiving money this year are Ace Academy, Allen East, Continental, Delphos Jefferson, Holy Rosary, Leipsic, Miller City-New Cleveland, St. Anthony of Padua, and Saints Peter and Paul.
