Celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and The President’s Council’s 50th Anniversary
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. This year’s celebration includes the 50 years of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) which has helped individuals, schools, communities, businesses, and organizations promote healthy lifestyles.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the President’s Council on Youth Fitness in 1956 to encourage America’s youth to make fitness a priority. The Council later became the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, including people of all ages and abilities and promoting fitness through sports and games. The Council is made of an advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness, and sports in the U.S.
With the staggering rates of overweight and obesity in this country, these events present a unique opportunity to bring more visibility to the importance of physical activity, fitness, and sports for improving and maintaining health. Throughout 2006, the President’s Council will be recognizing the valuable contributions and efforts of partners who have dedicated themselves over the last fifty years to improving the health and fitness of Americans.
Moreover, the Council is inviting new partners to fortify efforts to get more Americans active. Partners can include individuals, professional societies, private corporations, not-for-profit organizations, coalitions, corporate leaders, schools, health care providers and others that: 1) support physical activity, fitness and/or sports participation as a primary mission; 2) have potential for significant impact; 3) are inclusive, or aimed at under-represented groups; 4) promote positive, healthy behaviors; 5) disseminate materials free of charge; and 6) do not imply approval or endorsement of unhealthy behaviors or products.
As a partner, organizations will receive the official PCPFS 50th Anniversary logo; a link and notable mention on the PCPFS web site and President’s challenge web site; invitations to participate in celebratory activities at the national, state, and local levels; tools and messages to incorporate into their own programs; and the opportunity to work with collaborative partners ready to direct national attention to the importance of adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle in order to improve the quality of life for Americans of all ages and abilities.
Whether holding an event to celebrate May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month or to celebrate healthy lifestyles in general, the President’s Council advises that prior to specifying the who, what, when, where, and why of the event, a group of current or potential partners who can help in the planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of the event be gathered. Also, it is important to pick a venue, develop a media plan, designate an honorary chairperson and focus on a cause.
To become a PCPFS partner, individuals/organizations need to email a 100 word or less description of how physical activity will be promoted and encouraged in their communities, cities, states, etc. In addition, a form needs to be signed and faxed.
For further information, please contact:
Melissa Johnson
Executive Director
Phone: (202) 690-5187
Email: mjohnson@osophs.dhhs.gov
Or
Christine Spain
Director, Research, Planning, and Special Projects
Phone: (202) 690-5148
Email: cspain@osophs.dhhs.gov
Take the Challenge this Saturday, May 6, 2006
One of the events being held is the Third HealthierUS Fitness Challenge, Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 8am to 12 noon at the RFK Stadium. The event will feature a HealthierUS Fitness Challenge 5K Run/Walk/Bike Ride, ongoing fitness demos and classes, interactive sports and games, exhibits, free health screenings and publications. Additionally, special guests and surprise celebrities will be present.
For further information, please visit:
http://www.fitness.gov/ or http://www.fitnesschallengeinfo.com/
Source: The President’s Council on Fitness and Sports website and the White House website.