Participation in sports promotes physical activity, builds self-esteem, improves social skills and motivates children to excel academically. To encourage Virginia Beach youth to be active and play sports, the American Heart Association and local Heart and Stroke Ball sponsor, Planet Fitness, collected more than 70 athletic balls that will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club in the Rosemont section of the city.
“Just like in adults, increased physical activity has been associated with an increased life expectancy and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease among children,” said Brandon Gonzalez, Marketing Coordinator at Planet Fitness in Hampton Roads. “The American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. It is never too early to start with good, heart healthy habits.”
On Wednesday, April 24th, the American Heart Association and the team at Planet Fitness visited the Boys and Girls Club at 1505 Competitor Ct. in Virginia Beach to deliver 70 athletic balls as part of a joint effort to encourage Virginia Beach children to get regular exercise.
“Physical activity is important for everyone to do, especially children,” said Jennifer Stout, Executive Director, American Heart Association in Hampton Roads. “We are grateful to the team at Planet Fitness for helping us collect these athletic balls so the children in our community can stay active to prevent cardiovascular disease i
n the future.”
As a part of the American Heart Association’s goal of creating sustainable change, we helped the facility acquire a heart-healthy vending machine for the kids and employees. Community partners like the Boys and Girls Club and Planet Fitness help us further our reach in the resort city.
Our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been fighting heart disease and stroke, striving to save and improve lives. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. We want to see a world free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.