Many of the 60 kids in attendance at a recent event at the Jerry Gambles Boys & Girls Club in Minneapolis had never seen a pedometer before. But thanks to UnitedHealthcare, each child will now be able to use one of their very own to track physical activity and be more active.
Cheers filled the air as each of the kids from the club received their new fitness tracker at the special event on April 3, as part of its Step Up for Better Health Sweepstakes, a national initiative to encourage walking and support Boys & Girls Clubs around the nation. The event also coincides with April’s Move More Month.
“At first, the kids weren’t sure what the pedometers were,” said Troy Kakacek, vice president of network management for UnitedHealthcare. “But after we showed them how they work, they were challenging their friends to get more steps than them.”
However, the event was more than just a pedometer giveaway. The kids participated in three stations — relay races, basketball and soccer — to see the fitness trackers in action. UnitedHealthcare also gifted the club with a new treadmill and a $5,000 donation. The Minneapolis event was one of 11 similar events around the country.
As the event drew to a close, the kids were excited to compare their steps and see who had the most.
“We hope kids will be inspired to get up and get moving,” Kakacek said. “Exercise is important at every age.”