Blackhawks Partner With Chicago Public Schools To Fight Childhood Obesity

From chicagoblackhawks.com: (link)

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today a partnership with The Nettelhorst School, a Chicago Public School, to fight childhood obesity. The partnership is based on both organizations’ commitment to education and the health and well being of young people in Chicago.

The campaign will begin this Thursday, Oct. 30, when Chicago Blackhawks team president John McDonough will serve as ‘Principal for a Day’ at the school (3253 N. Broadway, Chicago). McDonough will be touring the school, visiting classrooms and interacting with the students.

“It’s a privilege for me to be able to visit with the students of The Nettelhorst School and help launch such a special partnership,” Blackhawks President John McDonough said. “Through this program, the Blackhawks are committed to helping students educate themselves on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.”

The program will provide inspiring and comprehensive opportunities and education to nearly 500 Nettelhorst students. The program’s goal is to instill a sense of leadership, self-esteem and self-confidence driven by active individual fitness and team sports experiences.

Chicago Blackhawks Charities will donate $200,000 and various team sports equipment to Nettelhorst, and will additionally create a fitness center, floor hockey court, and inter-school floor hockey league for area schools. The Nettelhorst School, a school that has progressed remarkably over the past five years, will be the first of many Chicago Public Schools to partner with the Blackhawks.

“We admire the Blackhawks’ thought-leadership and proactive mindset in creating a partnership with Nettelhorst to offset the hardships created by decreasing government funding,” Nettelhorst School Principal Cindy Wulbert said.

The goal of ‘Principal for a Day’ is for community leaders to engage themselves, their companies, organizations or associations in continued involvement and support throughout the year at their school.

Chicago Blackhawks player Adam Burish will be available from 8:45-9:15 A.M. at The Nettelhorst School. An assembly will be held at 9:15 A.M. where McDonough, Blackhawks Senior Vice President of Business Operations Jay Blunk, and Senior Director of Marketing and Advertising Pete Hassen will be able to answer questions.