MLS San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes Broaden Partnership with Kaiser Permanente

Published on April 23, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has expanded a partnership with Kaiser Permanente to promote healthy living and active lifestyles amongst Bay Area youth.

The signature program of the joint venture is Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Kaiser Permanente. Get EQ Fit is a fun, five-week program designed by the Quakes' long-time head athletic trainer, Bruce Morgan, to increase physical activity in the classroom and at home. It is targeted toward underserved schools and schools lacking a physical education department due to budget cuts. The Earthquakes teamed up with the Santa Clara County Office of Education to meet state standards for third- and fourth-grade students.

"Kaiser Permanente is thrilled to be teaming up with the Earthquakes to bring the Get Earthquakes Fit program to thousands of school kids across the South Bay," said Chris Boyd, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center. "Together we're helping to build healthier lives and stronger communities."

In 2012, at least 25 local schools will be incorporating this program into their third- and fourth-grade curriculum. Get Earthquakes Fit encourages students to engage in 20 minutes of physical activity each day for five weeks. The program opens with a kick-off assembly where a Kaiser Permanente physician speaks to students about being healthy and active. Each week, teachers play a video featuring Earthquakes players demonstrating exercises and Kaiser Permanente physicians giving health tips in an effort to further engage and excite the students by providing a visual aid.

At the conclusion of the program, the Earthquakes and Kaiser Permanente host a closing assembly to congratulate students on living a more active lifestyle, with a Quakes player relating the Get EQ Fit message to their own lives, presenting completion certificates and signing autographs.

"Kaiser Permanente understands we all have to work together to help stop childhood obesity. By showcasing professional athletes and physicians in a school setting, our goal is to help teachers and parents reinforce the message of eating right and staying active in a fun and engaging way," said Irene Chavez, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center.

In addition to Get EQ Fit, Kaiser Permanente will also present Health and Wellness Night on Saturday, May 19, as the Earthquakes play host to the Columbus Crew at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara beginning at 7:30 p.m. Kaiser Permanente will be providing health and wellness tips to Quakes fans throughout the game, honoring the teachers who participated in Get EQ Fit this semester on the field, and will also have activities for kids in the Quakes' fan zone at Buck Shaw, the Epicenter.

For more information on Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Kaiser Permanente and to nominate a school for the program, as well as for healthy tips for parents, please visit www.sjearthquakes.com/community/get-fit.

Prorated season tickets for the remainder of the Earthquakes' 2012 home schedule are still available for purchase by calling (408) 556-7700. Individual tickets are also on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-800-225-2277 or online at www.sjearthquakes.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 23, 2012


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