The “Contributor of the Year” is the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation which gave the Atlanta Track Club the initial grant to kick off the Kilometer Kids program in 2006 and remains the program’s biggest contributor to date. Kilometer Kids has successfully provided elementary and middle school age youth of metro Atlanta the opportunity to improve fitness through a fun and supportive running program. Participants train in the fall and spring at Boys & Girls Clubs and schools serviced by the Metro Atlanta YMCA.
In addition to providing significant financial support, the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation has been instrumental in providing thank you gifts to volunteers such as game tickets and incentives for youth such as autographed Falcon’s football jerseys.
Several participants have reduced their weight and many parents have become involved in walking or running during the week with their children. Running has opened up a new avenue for parents, children and on-site volunteers to see that they can achieve what they set out to do.
“The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation and the Atlanta Track Club share the same passion for our youth. Kilometer Kids has been recognized as a Falcon Fitness Zone site. We not only assist kids to get physically fit, but we also teach kids about healthy choices and the importance of hard work and team support. We are living and teaching the Falcons Fitness Zone motto: be active, eat healthy, make smart choices and be happy!” reports Tina Klein, Kilometer Kids’ director.
