Welcome
Welcome to AHA's new monthly newsletter, Health in Action! You are receiving this newsletter because you have attended an AHA event or signed up for our listserv. We hope you'll forward this to friends and colleagues who also care about shaping the environment so that healthful eating and physical activity are the way of life in Wake County!
Please also feel free to share your ideas on newsletter content with us; we welcome your feedback!
Calling All Volunteers: April 9, Cary Duathalon
AHA invites you to get involved and help the AHA Volunteer Team support the Cary Duathalon, April 9, 7 am-1 pm, Thomas Brooks Park in Cary! Contact Michele McKinley to help give out water, tshirts and chips, etc.! Be a part of health in action! |
| Inside the WCPSS School Lunch Program | 
AHA invites you to a free tour the Child Nutrition Warehouse of the Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS) on Feb. 23, 10:30 am-12 pm at 1501 Rocky Quarry Rd. in Raleigh. Marilyn Moody, WCPSS Child Nutrition Director, is opening the doors to the warehouse and leading this tour to help our community better understand how the school system is feeding children across the county.
In December, President Obama signed the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Among other changes, the law improves nutrition with a goal of reducing childhood obesity by setting national nutrition standards, includes additional funding for schools that meet updated standards for federally subsidized lunches, and helps communities establish local farm to school networks, create school gardens and ensure that more local foods are used in schools. This menu graphic illustrates how a school lunch menu might have looked in the past compared to under the new bill enacted.
Come learn how WCPSS is operating under the new law. Space is limited on the tour; please RSVP to Michele McKinley, AHA project coordinator, as soon as possible! AHA will email a tour confirmation to you.
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| Dig In to Gardening | 
Join AHA on March 5 for Dig In, the 2nd annual community gardens summit featuring the down and dirty on how to build, maintain and sustain a community garden!
Home gardeners are invited as well for resources and expertise!
This FREE summit is open to Wake County residents looking to learn, network, and break ground on a movement that cultivates community fellowship and improves the lives of those living right here in the Triangle. Register for Dig In today; space is limited!
AHA thanks sponsors:
If you or your organization would like to support Dig In, with a donation or sponsorship, please see opportunities at our web site. |
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Eat at Market on Feb. 23! Great Local
Food with Proceeds Benefiting AHA |
Because Market Restaurant digs community and local gardens, it is hosting a dinner on Wed., Feb. 23 and donating 100% of its profits to AHA's community  gardening and local food initiatives!
A health-focused eatery in downtown Raleigh, Market Restaurant is committed to serving fresh, seasonal dishes made entirely of locally grown ingredients. Invite your friends, a date or bring your family! A variety of child-friendly food options are available, and every attempt is made to accommodate special diets. Call-ahead seating is recommended; call 754-0900.
Market is open for dinner from 5:30-10 pm and is located at 938 N. Blount St. We look forward to seeing you for dinner! |
Parents and Teachers:
Win the Brains and Bodies Award | 
Some Wake County schools are going the extra mile to make schools a healthier place for kids and staff. AHA applauds them and wants to recognize them for their achievements!
The new AHA Brains and Bodies Award gives all elementary and middle schools in the county the opportunity to showcase their healthy initiatives!
How Fuller GT Magnet Grows Healthy Students
Liz Vines, PTA president at Fuller GT Magnet Elementary, said Fuller is applying for the award because Fuller likes to promote healthy schools and is already making moves to make kids healthier earlier, she said.
"There is a buzz in our school about being healthy," Liz said. Thanks to the PE teacher and other teachers on staff, kids are learning about nutrition and making some different choices in the cafeteria. The school's Walking Club (for K-2nd graders) and the Running Club (for 3rd-5th graders) have been really popular. "In the Walking Club, kids walk 20 minutes before school three days a week; they log their laps and have contests. They really love it," Liz said.
Last year, many of Fuller's 5th graders participated in the Run the Quay 5K last spring, and many students, teachers and parents participated in the Wake County PTA Council's run last fall. In fact, Fuller won the Council's $1000 Healthy Lifestyles grant for its huge participation in the race. Liz said the school is saving some of that prize money to subsidize race registrations for this year's Run the Quay race in June. Liz said many Fuller students are low-income, and by subsidizing the race registration, more Fuller kids can participate.
What Schools Win
"Through the award application process, schools can learn about the creative ways other local schools are fighting childhood obesity and how they can replicate these ideas and programs," AHA Director Laura Aiken said.
Awards are available in Gold, Silver and Bronze levels, plus Honorable Mentions. Winners will receive a banner to hang in their school, resources for a fun school-wide celebration and community recognition.
Applications are due April 1, 2011, so there's plenty of time to work with your school to apply! |
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 AHA fosters and supports community efforts to make healthy eating and physical activity the way of life in Wake County.
Simply put, we are working to make the healthy choice the easy choice! |
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School Walk-a-thon Raises $25,000! |  | |
Learn all about how this Wake County school raised needed funds while promoting physical activity and fun for students! |
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Spotlight on
AHA Partners | |
Learn how AHA partner Be Active NC is going
to help 1 million get more active, more often with its Feb. 26 campaign launch!
AHA Partners:
Who are they? |
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timely updates on
eating well and being active here in
Wake County!
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