By

Debbie Perkins,   Garyville-mt Airy Magnet School

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Success with Funds

This year our kickoff was second to none. Our school was selected to be the host recipient for a ten thousand dollars Home Town Grant from the New Orleans Saints. We hosted a school wide pep riley, training station with the Saints, and fun fitness stations for the entire student body! The students worked a lot of before and after school hours to get ready for this presentation. The school board, community, and other stake holders helped to create an atmosphere that the Saint's representative had not seen before. Saints' player, Michael Mauti and JJ, the fourteen-year-old boy adopted by the Saints organization who is fighting a liver disease, blessed our school with their encouraging words. JJ is on a waiting list for a liver transplant. His condition effects this growth as well. Though small in stature on the outside, his positive attitude is larger than life. He talked to the kids about his illness and the importance of eating right and being active. All the girls wanted to hug and take pictures with him. Michael and JJ presented and represented the true role, scope and mission of Fuel Up to Play 60. My SUDIA representative, Jennifer Duhon, is the best. She encourages me a lot. More than half of the students at my school are aware of how to make healthy eating choices and the value of exercise every day. Thank you, Fuel Up to Play 60, for being here for me and my students. 

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

This grant will be used to buy the much needed equipment for our physical education department. We will buy Big Wheels for the kindergartners and bicycles for the middle school to start a cycling club. Footballs, basketballs, kickballs etc. will be pushed to be used in our Ramp up for Recess play. We will look into establishing a salad and fruit bar at lunch. The community will be invited to join in with our walking and cycling clubs.