Through the School Health, Safety, Nutrition and Fitness Grants, many schools in the Mat-Su Valley have received grant money for new programs. Each school is eligible for two $500 grants a school year. Since 2005, the Mat-Su Health Foundation has given away more than $20,000 to Valley schools.

One of these schools, Swanson Elementary School, has received five grants over the past three years. The grants have specifically been used by the physical education program to purchase new equipment such as pedometers, jumping equipment, scooters, fitness and health materials and a parachute with accessories.

Some 450 students attend Swanson Elementary School and are in the physical education program. With the new equipment, their physical activity is more fun and motivational. The students are having so much fun they don’t realize how much strength or cardiovascular or health education they are receiving as they are engaged in the physical activity. The goal of the Mat-Su Health Foundation is to promote health and wellness as well as providing positive and continuous education because they want to see continuous success in the schools.

A big THANK YOU goes to the Mat-Su Health Foundation for their continued support of providing grants to the Valley schools. Linda Menard, interim executive director, Vicki Reese, executive assistant, and Dawn Brunett, programs and grant manager, have been the supportive staff of the Mat-Su Health Foundation who promote and provide the leadership needed to create this opportunity for the schools. The schools are a better place because of the School Health, Safety, Nutrition and Fitness Grants.

Rosalie Schuette

physical education specialist

Swanson Elementary