Osman Hernandez looks forward to coming to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities’ East Side Club every week. The 17-year-old enjoys spending time with friends but, most of all, he loves getting a chance to use the sports equipment at the facility.
“Having the opportunity to come here to play volleyball is really important because it gets us out of the house,” Osman said. “It gives us something to do. It keeps us active and provides a good team bonding experience.”
Thanks to a recent UnitedHealthcare donation, Osman and other youth who attend the club will be able to enjoy new equipment to play sports, exercise and stay active all summer long.
The donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities includes items such as volleyballs, basketballs, jump ropes and yoga mats to help encourage youth and teens to live a healthier lifestyle and reduce childhood obesity. Childhood obesity remains a serious issue in the United States, affecting 1 in 5 children and adolescents and contributing to potential health issues such as type 2 diabetes.
The UnitedHealthcare donation is part of the 2021 Step Up for Summer Sweepstakes and World Record Challenge, a national initiative with golf star Rory McIlroy to encourage all Americans to sign the pledge to make health a priority this summer and year-round. Signing the pledge may enable you to become eligible for a chance to win one of more than 100 fitness-related prizes*, such as a dream home gym, while seeking to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most pledges received for a health campaign in one month (June 15 – July 15).
On behalf of the first 60,000 people to sign the pledge, UnitedHealthcare will donate $1 each for a total of $60,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, like in the Twin Cities, for new sports equipment.
“The donation gets me really excited to play volleyball and come to the Boys & Girls Club more often because the equipment we have is a little older,” Osman said. “The new equipment revives our spirit to play the game.”
*Participation in any UnitedHealthcare product or program is not a requirement to participate in the sweepstakes. Sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents 18 and older. Void where prohibited. For eligibility and official rules, go to uhcstepup.com.
Boys & Girls Clubs and Guinness World Records are not sponsors of this promotion.