Governor’s Council Announces School Winners of Live Positively Fitness Centers

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ – California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Chairman Jake Steinfeld announced today the eight winning schools of brand new Live Positively Fitness Centers that were made possible thanks to a donation from The Coca-Cola Company. The eight winning schools were selected from over 2,000 participating schools primarily based on the outstanding amount of physical activity that their students, parents and teachers engaged in through the Governor’s Fitness Challenge last year.

“The hard work and determination of the students, parents, teachers and Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Chairman Jake Steinfeld helped to exceed this year’s Fitness Challenge goal of 1 million participants,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “These eight winning schools have proven that they are committed to being fit and living healthy, and they deserve to enjoy the Live Positively Fitness Centers provided by our partners at Coca-Cola. I applaud these schools for their hard work and dedication and encourage them to use these fitness centers to reach out to even more children and other schools so that we can continue to create a healthier California.”

The eight schools announced as winners today are:

• Andrew Jackson Elementary in Santa Ana
• Dunlap Elementary in Dunlap (Fresno County)
• Grover Cleveland High in Reseda
• Kentwood Elementary in Los Angeles
• Hart-Ransom Elementary in Modesto
• Nellie Coffman Middle in Cathedral City
• North Park Elementary in San Bernardino
• School of Engineering and Sciences in Sacramento

“Congratulations to all our award-winning schools for their outstanding achievements,” said Steinfeld. “I’ve always believed that passion leads and everything else follows, and I commend the leaders at these schools for the passion they displayed in promoting this year’s Governor’s Challenge.”

To recognize and promote California’s leadership efforts to reduce childhood obesity, The Coca-Cola Company committed to funding eight brand new Live Positively Fitness Centers in California schools that exhibited exceptional effort in rising to the California Governor’s Challenge of engaging in physical activity 30-60 minutes a day, at least three days a week for four weeks during the previous school year. The donation for these fitness centers is part of The Coca-Cola Company’s Live Positively commitment to enhancing the communities where it operates.

The eight winning schools selected to receive Live Positively Fitness Centers were chosen primarily on the physical activity that their students, parents and teachers recorded in the Governor’s Challenge. Winning schools were also determined by location. Schools in areas boasting the most participation were eligible to compete for the awards. The eight schools selected as winners each had 100 percent of their students take and complete the Governor’s Challenge. Cumulatively, these eight schools recorded an amazing 901,667 days of physical activity through the Challenge.

“Because of the leadership and commitment of Governor Schwarzenegger and Jake Steinfeld, more than 1 million additional young people in California have embraced physical activity, and we need to keep inspiring more kids to join the fun,” said Sandy Douglas, President of Coca-Cola North America. “I offer my congratulations to all the schools receiving a Live Positively Fitness Center and commend them on their hard work.”

Live Positively Fitness Center award-winning schools will be recognized at the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports 5th Annual Spotlight Award Ceremony in Sacramento on September 17. The Spotlight Awards, which are presented by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, honor individuals, organizations and events that positively impact the physical activity, fitness and well-being of California children and youth.

About the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

The California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting physical activity for all Californians with an emphasis on children and youth. Governor Schwarzenegger is the Honorary Chairman, and Council members include Chairman Jake Steinfeld, Vice Chairman Peter Vidmar, and California sports legends such as Tony Hawk, Laila Ali, Misty May-Treanor, and Jerry Rice. Governor’s Council Key Initiatives include the Governor’s Challenge, the Governor’s Council Spotlight Awards presented by Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, the Governor’s Council Activity Guide, the Live Like a Champion Tour powered by Anthem Blue Cross and Exercise is Medicine. Founding sponsors are the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente. Additional sponsors are The Coca-Cola Company, CVS/pharmacy, and General Mills. For more information visit www.CalGovCouncil.org.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola®, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®, Coca-Cola Zero®, vitaminwater®, Powerade®, Minute Maid®, Simply® and Georgia®. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

SOURCE Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports