"Lights, Camera, Action!" for Health-Minded Local Students Appearing with Chicago Bears Players in NFL TV Promo


NFL Fuel up to Play 60 logo
Students at Ridge Family Center for Learning, national winner of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Casting Call Challenge, were rewarded today for their exemplary efforts to eat healthy and get active, when Bears quarterback Jason Campbell, center/guard Roberto Garza and cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman made a special visit to the Elk Grove Village elementary school. The players talked about the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, and joined the students for physical activity drills and nutrient-rich snacks including low-fat string cheese and fruit and low-fat yogurt smoothies. Highlights of the event were filmed for a 30-second national TV feature for NFL Play 60 and the Kinect for Xbox 360 video game console, which is scheduled to air on Sunday, November 25 on either CBS or FOX. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program created in partnership with National Dairy Council and the National Football League that encourages students to eat healthy, be active and implement positive, healthy changes.

The Fuel Up to Play 60 program is provided by Midwest Dairy Council, an affiliate of the National Dairy Council, and the Chicago Bears in Illinois. The Casting Call Challenge, supported by Kinect for Xbox 360, invited students and educators from nearly 73,000 Fuel Up to Play 60 schools nationwide, to submit a 500-word essay describing how the program is inspiring fitness and better nutrition at their school, for a chance to win an appearance in an NFL TV promo, a Kinect for Xbox 360 gaming kiosk and a collection of games, valued at an estimated $2,800. Twenty-five runner-up schools also received a Kinect for Xbox 360 gaming kiosk and games. "We could not be more impressed by the Fuel Up to Play 60 Casting Call Challenge submissions that we received from across the country," said Lorna Riggs, a Health and Wellness Program Manager for Midwest Dairy Council. "It is truly inspiring to see how these kids are making a difference in their health and at their schools," she continued.

"Ridge Family Center for Learning won the grand prize based on its success making healthy changes in their school environment through healthy taste tests, a school menu makeover, after-school fit club, Fuel Up Family Night, and the Ridge Family Network and ‘Bunny Broadcast' that regularly features healthy tips and recipes.""Since taking the Fuel Up to Play 60 pledge three years ago, we've revamped our cafeteria menu to offer nutrient-rich foods, resulting in a 20 percent increase in school lunch consumption, and implemented a variety of fitness activities that inspire kids to get excited about health and wellness," said Will Hogan, Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisor, 2011-2012 Illinois Program Advisor of the Year, and PE teacher at Ridge Family Center for Learning. "I'm so proud of the students for their hard work and determination in completing this Challenge, and we're all thrilled for the opportunity to meet Bears players, to appear in an NFL TV promo, and to add Kinect for Xbox 360 to our daily exercise!
Midwest Dairy Association logo
"The Fuel Up to Play 60 Casting Call Challenge is one of a series of contests that youth can get involved in throughout the year. Each Challenge focuses on a different aspect of the program, and provides the opportunity for students to collaborate with their peers and showcase what they have learned about "fueling up" with nutrient-rich foods and getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. For more information, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com. All player appearances were scheduled with assistance from the NFL Players Association.

Midwest Dairy Council®, an affiliate of National Dairy Council, is the nutrition education division of Midwest Dairy Association. The Council is dedicated to dairy nutrition research and education through the investment of more than 9,500 dairy farm families across 10 Midwestern states, and is committed to child health and wellness through our collaborative program, Fuel Up to Play 60. For more information, visit www.midwestdairy.com. Follow us on Twitter and find us on Facebook at Midwest Dairy.

About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student challenges. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.

About NFL PLAY 60
Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL?s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like the National Dairy Council. NFLPLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit www.NFLRush.com. © 2012 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council® (NDC) is the nutrition research, education and communications arm of Dairy Management Inc™. On behalf of U.S. dairy farmers, NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC is dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of consuming milk and milk products throughout a person's lifespan. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org.

11.7.2012