MVP Health Care "KidPower" Essay Winner Announced

March 26, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY-The Albany River Rats announced today that Samantha Smith has been selected as the winner of the MVP Health Care "KidPower at School With The River Rats" essay contest.

Samantha was one of thousands of elementary school students throughout New York's Capital Region who were lucky enough to attend a River Rats "KidPower at School assembly" this year. The program featured a health talk, question and answer period, along with an autograph session with two River Rats players, "Rowdy" The Rat and MVP Health Care's mascot, "Appleby."

Following each assembly, in which students discussed the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices and keeping active through sports, audience members were invited to write a 100 word essay on what they learned from the River Rats and on their favorite ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. Samantha's enthusiasm for staying active throughout the year and choosing healthy foods every day has earned her a luxury suite for 16 of her closest friends and family at Albany's April 2nd home game against the Norfolk Admirals.

"KidPower at School with the River Rats has been such a successful program for MVP," said Ian Warda, Community Relations Coordinator for MVP Health Care. "Our goal is to get kids active and healthy at a young age. The River Rats players have been wonderful role models for kids in this region and have helped us to deliver a message on the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices early on in their lives. That message obviously resonated with kids, as evident by the inspiring essay written by 11 year-old Samantha."

MVP Health Care is committed to helping kids recognize the importance and fun of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and making good food choices. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 16 percent of all children and teens in the United States are overweight. Additionally, an American Heart Association study found that 23 percent of children don't get any exercise outside of school. Being overweight and not getting enough exercise increase the risk for serious cardiovascular and other diseases throughout childhood and into adulthood. Programs like MVP Health Care KidPower at School with the River Rats can make a difference in educating children and their families on the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices.

River Rats Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Capitaland Motors GMC-Subaru is set for April 2-3, 2010 at the Times Union Center with face-off scheduled for 7:00pm on both nights. 2010 Calder Cup playoff packages are now on sale at the River Rats executive offices at the Times Union Center, by calling (518) 487-2244 or by logging onto www.albanyriverrats.com.



American Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2010


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