Fitness Programs
Since 2009, a primary focus for the ANNIKA Foundation has been to identify the greatest needs and opportunities to make an impact through the development of sports and physical fitness programs. A key focus has been to provide resources that:
- Increase participation and access where it is not currently available or affordable
- Promote awareness for the importance of leading a healthy active lifestyle
- Create safe environments for children to participate in fitness related activities
ANNIKA Foundation Donates $37,500 to Orange County Schools to Implement SPARK Program for Physical Fitness
Orlando, Fla. (May 25, 2010) – The ANNIKA Foundation awarded five $7,500 grants to Orange County elementary schools to fund the implementation of School Specialty’s SPARK Physical Education (PE) program during the 2010-11 school year. Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam started her foundation in 2007 to teach children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. Annika visited Hungerford Elementary School to present the awards and lead the children in a fitness lesson with a SPARK representative.
“I am proud to call Orlando home and am thrilled that the ANNIKA Foundation is able to provide these grants for the local community,” said Annika. “It is very important to me that we are able to help the youth of our area learn the value of being active. Having a young daughter, I understand even more now the importance of teaching these things early in life. ”
The ANNIKA Foundation began its partnership with SPARK last year to help educate America’s youth about the benefits of physical fitness and proper nutrition. The foundation teamed with SPARK as a fitness and nutrition curriculum partner because of its proven, research-based success at positively affecting fitness and influencing healthy behaviors among pre-kindergarten through 12th grade children.
The grants will fully-fund the SPARK PE program implementation in each school, including the curriculum, equipment and training needed to foster long-term environmental and behavioral change. The Orange County schools that received the grants are Hungerford Elementary School, Engelwood Elementary School, Meadow Woods Elementary School, Endeavor Elementary School and Rock Lake Elementary School.
ANNIKA Foundation Partners with SPARK to promote healthy, active lifestyles for children
Women’s professional golf icon Annika Sorenstam is pleased to announce that the ANNIKA Foundation will partner with School Specialty’s SPARK Programs to help educate America’s youth about the benefits of physical fitness and proper nutrition. The non-profit foundation, whose mission includes teaching children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle, selected SPARK as a fitness and nutrition curriculum partner because of its proven, research-based success at positively affecting fitness and influencing healthy behaviors among pre-kindergarten through 12th grade children with its award-winning wellness programs.
