Covidien and the Red Sox Foundation team up on new "Double Play: Health & Fitness" Program at Fenway Park
Workshop for Kids Includes On-Field Workouts with Red Sox Players and Team Trainer, Tips from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Physical Therapist, and Healthy Meal Preparation
BOSTON, MA – In an effort to help combat childhood obesity and encourage healthy choices, Covidien and The Red Sox Foundation today announced a new program called “Double Play: Health & Fitness,” a wellness workshop to be held at Fenway Park on Saturday, June 23. Some 65 children, ages 8 to 14, from the Red Sox Foundation’s charitable programs and Covidien, will learn the benefits of exercise and healthy eating.
“We're proud to collaborate with the Red Sox Foundation, Beth Israel Deaconess and Aramark in helping to educate children and families on the importance of being active and eating healthy,” said Teresa Hacunda, Vice President, Civic Affairs, Covidien. “By demonstrating that exercising and making good food choices can be fun, we'll make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our communities.”
Red Sox Strength and Conditioning Consultant Mike Boyle, along with some current Red Sox players, will lead the kids in an on-field exercise program similar to the conditioning the players do before a game. Clinician and Physical Therapist Kathy Shillue from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox and a partner in the workshop, will educate the kids about the importance of exercise and calories.
“With many teens spending 5 or more hours per day in front of a TV, computer game or mobile phone, that leaves little time for exercise,” says BIDMC’s Kathy Shillue. “I love working with groups of kids, like the ones we will be working with at Fenway Park, to help them make good decisions about the types of calories they take in and how they spend their down time in order to curb diseases like obesity and diabetes while keeping their bones strong as they grow.”
Aramark, the concessionaire at Fenway Park, will instruct the children on how to make healthy snacks and meals at interactive food preparation stations. After lunch, Aramark also will provide the kids with healthy recipes to make at home.
“We are proud to team up with our lead sponsor Covidien, and to have Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s expertise as we work to tackle the national epidemic of childhood obesity,” said Red Sox Executive Vice President and Red Sox Foundation Director Meg Vaillancourt. “Along with Red Sox players and coaches, we want to use the summer months to help educate and instill healthy eating and exercise habits in kids as they finish the school year.”
Saturday’s “Double Play: Health & Fitness” workshop is sponsored by Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, a key donor to the Red Sox Foundation, and a team sponsor whose name is emblazoned on Fenway Park’s Green Monster in recognition of their support for the award-winning official team charity.