Lakeland Health Awards $12,000 for Student Climbing Wall
Sep 21, 2016
(BUCHANAN) – Lakeland Health recently awarded $12,000 to Moccasin and Ottawa Elementary Schools in Buchanan to fund the purchase of two climbing walls for use in physical education classes and during after school events. The funds were given as part of the Community Wellness Endowment established in 2014 under the guidance of Lakeland Health Foundations to support programs that help improve the health of our community. Through the endowment, non-profit organizations in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties can apply for funding in support of expanding existing programs, new initiatives, or capital needs.
“We are grateful to Lakeland Health for their generous investment in the health and well-being of our student body,” said Harvey Burnett, PhD, Board of Education President, Buchanan Community Schools. “The climbing walls will provide a unique opportunity to meet and increase the physical, social, and cognitive growth for students of all ages and fitness levels as we continue to look for new and exciting ways to engage them in healthy behaviors.”
In 2015, the Community Wellness Endowment awarded a total of $162,514 to 11 organizations throughout southwest Michigan. Initiatives supported through the endowment focused on a range of community health issues, including childhood obesity, prescription drug and heroin abuse, diabetes prevention, child abuse, and access to public transportation, among others.
“As the healthcare market continues to change and develop the way services are evaluated and reimbursed, providers are increasingly being held accountable to improve the general health of the population they serve,” said David Burghart, President, Lakeland Health Foundations. “As the largest health organization in southwest Michigan, Lakeland plays a vital role in supporting the overall health of the community, even outside of a clinical setting.”
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Photo Caption: L to R - Lloyd Miller, Jessica Leenhouts, David Burghart, and Andrea van der Laan