Nike CDR Cad Hedged (NEO:NKE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2019 to Jul 2024
NikeGO and the National Head Start Association Launch
First-of-its-Kind Physical Activity Program for Preschool Children
Gold Medal Soccer Star Mia Hamm and U.S. Surgeon General Kick off Eight-City
Pilot Aimed at Getting 30,000 Kids Moving
CHICAGO, March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Nike continues its mission
of getting kids physically active by reaching out to young children with its
latest NikeGO program -- NikeGO Head Start -- an initiative designed for
preschool children and their families at Head Start sites throughout the
country. Gold medal-winning soccer star Mia Hamm, along with U.S. Surgeon
General Richard Carmona, joined with children and their parents at the Casa
Central Head Start program to launch this first-of-its-kind initiative.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO )
In partnership with SPARK (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) and the
National Head Start Association (NHSA), NikeGO Head Start brings a quality
early childhood physical activity program to preschoolers in the Head Start
community. With community receptions in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington,
D.C., NikeGO Head Start is piloting 80 programs in eight different cities this
year, initially training 320 teachers to serve an estimated 30,000 Head Start
preschoolers.
"Head Start is one of this nation's most successful early childhood education
programs. The goal is for NikeGO Head Start to enhance children's love for
physical activity, to involve their families in leading physically active
lives, and to help prevent sedentary lifestyles before they ever take hold,"
said Molly White, Director of U.S. Community Affairs at Nike. "The fact that
10 percent of preschoolers are overweight tells us that we need to do more to
instill healthy choices into the lifestyles of young children and their
families."
This initiative builds on a six-year relationship between Nike and the National
Head Start Association. Nike, currently the largest private funder of NHSA,
will issue a series of one-year grants, with specific performance requirements,
totaling $2.5 million over five years. Head Start instructors will receive a
"playbook" of activities that are fun, inclusive, developmentally appropriate
and aligned with Head Start Child Outcomes. From "Knees Up Mother Brown" to
"Beanbag Boogie," parents and children will learn how ordinary objects like
socks and scarves can be used for movement and physical activity.
"Today, more than 10 percent of American children ages 2 to 5 are overweight, a
trend that we can and must work together to reverse. Overweight children too
often become overweight or obese adults -- with greater risk of diabetes, heart
disease, and other serious health problems. Just as with every aspect of child
development, we need to get our kids started down the right path as young as
possible," U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona said. "We must encourage
healthy eating and help every child to be physically active for at least an
hour a day. As we work with so many sectors of society to improve the health
of all children during 'The Year of the Healthy Child,' it's encouraging to see
organizations like Nike and the National Head Start Association continue to
step up for kids."
The children at the event had their very own personal trainer in Olympic Gold
medal winner Mia Hamm, the national spokesperson for the NikeGO Head Start
program, who joined SPARK trainers in the physical activity session for
children at Casa Central Head Start.
"As a young girl, soccer was my way to express myself and experience the world
around me," said Mia Hamm. "I am proud to have the chance to pass on my love of
physical activity with a younger generation of athletes."
NikeGO Head Start understands how parents can play a critical role in raising
healthy children and provides them with the resources to replicate the
program's activities in the home. In addition to receiving the Playbook and
SPARK training, participating Head Start sites will receive Nike donated
equipment necessary to implement the program -- including parachutes, easy-to-
catch balls, beanbags and balance beams.
"While Head Start is a Federal program, much of its success can be attributed
to support from foundations, individuals and companies like Nike," said Sarah
Greene, President and CEO, NHSA. "Since 1965, Head Start has provided
education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services to low- income
children and their families. We are very excited to introduce a new component
in our comprehensive approach to empower community members to adopt lifelong
wellness practices."
NikeGO Head Start is one of several NikeGO initiatives designed to increase the
participation of young people in physical activity as a means to improve their
lives. These range from NikeGO Afterschool programs at Boys & Girls Clubs,
YMCAs and local Parks and Recreation organizations, to collaborations with
Indian Health Service to fight diabetes among Native American youth, to
national and regional advocacy initiatives such as Shaping America's Youth.
Last year, NikeGO programs reached over 150,000 kids in 60 U.S. cities with
ongoing, in-depth programs. NikeGO's goal is to get kids active for at least
30 minutes at a time, several times a week, making sure every child feels
successful and has fun in his or her activity.
About NikeGO
NikeGO is Nike's signature U.S. community affairs initiative and the company's
long-term commitment to getting kids more physically active. The program's
mission is to increase physical activity in youths, offering them the support
and motivation to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun. In its
most recent fiscal year, Nike contributed more than $10.5 million in cash and
products and served more than 150,000 kids through its programs and
partnerships. Visit http://www.nikego.com/ for additional information.
About SPARK
SPARK (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) is a research-based
physical activity program dedicated to creating, implementing, and evaluating
programs that promote lifelong wellness. Visit http://www.sparkpe.org/ or call
1-800SPARKPE or e-mail: for more information.
About NHSA
The National Head Start Association is a private not-for-profit membership
organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children
and their families. It represents more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff
and 2,600 Head Start programs in the United States. The Association provides
support for the entire Head Start community by advocating for policies that
strengthen services to Head Start children and their families; by providing
extensive training and professional development to Head Start staff; and by
developing and disseminating research, information, and resources that enrich
Head Start program delivery.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
DATASOURCE: Nike, Inc.
CONTACT: Lee Weinstein of Nike, Inc., +1-503-708-0402 or
; or Mark Ferguson of NHSA, +1-703-600-1127 or
Web site: http://www.nikebiz.com/