Thanks to the Lakeland Health Foundations, young students in the Buchanan Community Schools will be literally climbing the walls this fall. Lakeland Health recently awarded $12,000 to two schools for the purchase of climbing walls for use in the school's physical education classes and during after school events.
Moccasin and Ottawa Elementary Schools are the recipients of the funds awarded as part of the Community Wellness Endowment established two years ago under the guidance of Lakeland Health Foundations to support programs that help improve the health of the community. Through the endowment, non-profit organizations in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties can apply for funding in support of expanding existing programs, new initiatives, or capital needs.
Dr. Harvey Burnett is President of the Buchanan Community Schools Board of Education. He says, “We are grateful to Lakeland Health for their generous investment in the health and well-being of our student body.” He adds, “The climbing walls will provide a unique opportunity to meet and increase the physical, social, and cognitive growth for students of all ages and fitness levels as we continue to look for new and exciting ways to engage them in healthy behaviors.”
In 2015, the Community Wellness Endowment awarded a total of $162,514 to 11 organizations throughout southwest Michigan. Initiatives supported through the endowment focused on a range of community health issues, including childhood obesity, prescription drug and heroin abuse, diabetes prevention, child abuse, and access to public transportation, among others.
David Burghart is President of the Lakeland Health Foundations. He tells us, “As the healthcare market continues to change and develop the way services are evaluated and reimbursed, providers are increasingly being held accountable to improve the general health of the population they serve.” He concludes, “As the largest health organization in southwest Michigan, Lakeland plays a vital role in supporting the overall health of the community, even outside of a clinical setting.”
Photo caption L to R: Lloyd Miller, Jessica Leenhouts, David Burghart, and Andrea van der Laan
