Fitness and recreation grants awarded to Volunteers

Parks & Recreation, Sept, 2004

The non-profit Volunteers of America, which provides human service programs and opportunities for communities and individuals, received $50,000 in grants from the Major League Baseball Players Trust to help disadvantaged children and at-risk youth in five states. Minnesota, Ohio, Washington, Louisiana and California will each receive up to $10,000 in grants to implement programs such as:

* Fitness programs to improve health, self-esteem and body image of girls by creating a fitness center with appropriate exercise equipment;

* Crosswalks program, which will increase recreational activities and purchase necessary exercise equipment for runaways and homeless youth; and

* Creating a physical education element in the Volunteers of America Juvenile Day Program.

"Major League baseball players care about the communities where we live and play, and the partnership between Volunteers of America and the Players Trust allows us another way to really make a difference in the lives of children and to encourage others to do the same," said Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who presented the grants at Volunteers of America's national conference in Philadelphia.

For more information about Volunteers of America, visit www.volunteersof america.org.