New York, N.Y. – Boston Celtics forward, Paul Pierce will lead, a coalition of elite athletes from eight different sports to raise funds to fight children’s obesity in an effort called ‘nPLAY. A government tax exempt 501(c)3 organization, ‘nPLAY’s primary focus is to financially support physical education and physical activity programs in low income areas which statistically suffer the highest rates of childhood obesity in the United States.
’nPLAY will further partner with local governments and community organizations throughout the United States to help implement its programs in and outside of school.
Pierce’s leadership is bolstered by input from other sports standouts that include: Jennie Finch (USA Softball); Grant Hill (NBA’s Phoenix Suns); Evander Holyfield (retired boxer); and Summer Sanders (USA Swimming).
“It’s no secret that I was chubby as a child, so I understand the challenges our children face,” Pierce said. “Athletics and proper nutrition helped me turn my life around and achieve my dreams. At ‘nPLAY we are committed to providing opportunities for children that they may otherwise not have, to be active and eat healthy. We want to help educate both children and parents on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle so we can bring about change.”
One out of three children in America is obese, and childhood obesity was recently cited as parents’ No. 1 concern. It has a direct affect on cancer, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and up to 10 other medical conditions. It is the primary reason that the current generation of children will be the first ever to expect a life shorter than their parents.
”As a mother, nothing is more important to me than the health of my son,” said Finch, an Olympic softball gold medalist. “As parents, we are responsible for our children’s future. It’s important for us to not only set an example but to educate and motivate our children to live healthy lifestyles that will afford them the same opportunities of past generations.”
Finch will be one of the athletes involved in a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) MyPyramid program, ’nPLAY’s main nutrition initiative. MyPyramid was created by the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) to deliver messages that promote healthy food and lifestyle choices. ‘nPLAY will create educational visuals that integrate athletes with nutritional messages that can be used in schools and community group gatherings.
‘nPLAY was established by career marketers who set out to collaborate with standout athletes to provide solutions and raise money for programs that help combat childhood obesity. Organization founders include: Michael Maccia, Eric Cohen, Scott Hunter Smith and Steve Conner.
Pierce, nicknamed “The Truth” and is the founder of the “The Truth Fund”, is also working with Olympic gold medal gymnast Shannon Miller, US Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, current and former NBA players Jerry Stackhouse, Kenny Anderson and Bo Kimble; ASP World Tour Surfers Taylor Knox and Gabe Kling; former NFL players Jay Fiedler and Sam Madison; retired No. 1 middleweight boxer Michael Olajide Jr. and Former USA Olympic softball player and current assistant coach, Barbara Jordan.
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