Fun and Health Day
by KFYR TV Marie Arceo
Posted on 9/17/2009
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Students learn about health and safety in schools through text books, but Thursday some were given the opportunity with a more hands-on approach. Saint Alexius and Kohl`s Department Store teamed up for the Back To School Event in Bismarck. The annual event teaches kids about hearing safety, medication safety, and other health issues. The event is funded by the Kohl’s Cares For Kids Program, which gives St. Alexius money to teach kids through hands-on activities.
“Basically just to educate children and get them more information on staying healthy, making good food decisions and things like that,” said Jessica Gunderson of Kohl’s.
Last year, more than $22,000 was raised through Kohl’s Cares For Kids.
ADDITIONAL STORY:
City Salutes: Kohl’s Cares For Kids Program
Since Kohl`s Department store developed it’s “Kohl’s Cares For Kids” program in 2000, it had donated more than 126-million dollars to support health education for children nationwide and that help wouldn`t be possible without customers.
For the past 3 years, St Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck has been on the receiving end of the program. Each year it puts on health and safety events that teach kids about everything from nutrition to fire safety.
That’s why KFYR-TV and City Magazine are giving the program our City Salute for the month of September. St Alexius has received more than 63-thousand dollars from the Kohl`s Care For Kids program since 2006. Through these funds, St. Alexius is able to fund 3 annual events that educate kids about health and safety.
“Everything from nutrition to poison safety, stranger awareness, what to do in fires,” said Jody Benz, the Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at St. Alexius.
Here’s how it works. Each time a new Kohl’s Department store opens, the Kohl’s Corporation selects a local hospital that will receive the proceeds from the sale of selected Kohl’s Cares For Kids merchandise. Every dollar from the purchase of these books or stuffed animals goes to St Alexius.
“We started with just hand-outs, now we’ve got different interactive games and things to teach children because of the funding we’re able to provide additional enhancement,” said Jaclyn Bugbee, the Director of St. Alexius Medical Center Foundation.
In March, St Alexius hosts its annual Children’s Fun and Health Day. In May, it hosts the Summer Fun and Safety Day and in September, it will host the St Alexius and Kohl’s Back to School Extravaganza. More than 35-hundred children in Bismarck and Mandan participate each year.
“You know with our economic times and making sure that we use our funds wisely. It’s just it’s a great thing to do,” said Jody.
The program not only helps fund these hands-on activities, but it also gives St Alexius to ability to expand resources and reach as many kids as possible.
“It’s really impacted the ability for us to enhance these programs and invite other surrounding communities and expand our programs to make it much more fun-filled but still give them the education they really need,” said Jaclyn. And it shows in the well-being of children.
Watch the Video – City Salutes: Kohl’s Cares for Kids Program
Watch the Video – Fun and Health Day