COMMUNITY LEADERS LAUNCH “YEAR OF THE HEALTHY CHILD”

Media Contacts: Tricia Grayson
Caddo Parish Public Schools
twgrayson@caddo.k12.la.us
Phone: (318) 603-6339
For Immediate Release July 26, 2011
Bess Elder
Krewe de les Femmes Mystique
besselder@aol.com
Phone: (318) 670-8883
COMMUNITY LEADERS LAUNCH “YEAR OF THE HEALTHY CHILD”
Initiative brings together efforts to promote healthy lifestyles for children
Shreveport, LA –Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover and Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker have
proclaimed the 2011-12 school year as the “Year of the Healthy Child” in recognition of the work of
schools and local community groups to promote healthy lifestyles for our children as well as to draw
attention to the growing rate of childhood obesity (31% of Louisiana students are obese) and the need
for better coordination of effective initiatives. “Year of the Healthy Child” is the brainchild of Krewe
de les Femmes Mystique, a local Mardi Gras krewe and philanthropic organization. The group
developed an interest in the idea following outreach for a school lunch recipe contest.
“Research into possible community support for the contest led to the discovery of an incredible
amount of work being done,” said the krewe‟s philanthropic chair, Bess Elder. “[We] decided to
pursue a partnership with all of these groups for purposes of increased exposure and coordination of
major events. „Year of the Healthy Child‟ is not an organization, but a consortium of groups already
doing great things,” said Elder.
In addition to city mayors, school Superintendents D.C. Machen (Bossier) and Dr. Gerald
Dawkins (Caddo) have also signed on in support of the initiative.
“With children spending 20% of their time in school and eating one-third of their meals here,
it‟s important that schools play a leadership role in helping parents and communities find a solution to
the obesity epidemic,” said Dawkins. “There are many different groups doing exceptional work in this
community to improve the health of our children. „Year of the Healthy Child‟ will pull all of that
together, helping us to work more effectively,” added Dawkins.
(more)
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The Year of the Healthy Child officially kicks off Monday, August 15 th from 4pm – 6pm at
the Louisiana State University Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty
Clinic, 1450 Claiborne Avenue, Shreveport (ground floor). Proclamations will be read and
participating organizations will share information on their current and future healthy initiatives. (Please
direct venue questions to Dr. Stan McCallon, clinic coordinator, (318) 813-2970.)
Year of the Healthy Child Participants
Bossier Parish Schools
Caddo Parish Schools
Childhood Obesity Focus Group
The Community Foundation
Fit Cities Challenge
Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, Inc.
Krewe de les Femmes Mystique
KTBS Channel 3
Louisiana State University Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions
LSU AgCenter
Louisiana Restaurant Association Northwest Chapter
Shreveport Green
Slow Food North Louisiana
Volunteers of America
YMCA
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