Last Friday, United Way volunteers from local companies participated in the third annual Hometown Huddle event, presented by Parks. This year, volunteers refurbished 15 school playgrounds and common areas in Rutherford and Cannon counties.
Lisbeth Couser with the United Way told News Radio WGNS about the playground rehab program...
Participating schools included Auburn Elementary, Blackman Elementary, Bradley Academy, Cedar Grove Elementary, Eagleville Elementary, Holloway High School, Kittrell Elementary, La Vergne Primary, La Vergne Lake Elementary, McFadden Elementary, Smyrna Primary, Walter Hill Elementary and Woodbury Grammar.
This event was designed to bring awareness and impact to United Way's priority issues of healthy eating and physical activity, and supporting healthy choices.
Murfreesboro Medical Clinic's Weight Loss and Wellness Program participated in this year's Hometown Huddle by providing 11 volunteers to refurbish the playground at Blackman Elementary. Dr. Kimberly Shannon, Internal and Family Medicine Specialists for MMC, said, "Murfreesboro Medical Clinic's Weight Loss and Wellness decided to add a pediatric component to our Wellness program because of the increasing number of children that are overweight or obese. Tennessee has the 5th highest rate of childhood obesity in the US...We decided to participate in Hometown Huddle because it is geared toward health and wellness. We were able to improve one of the playgrounds within our school system. We are interested in assisting our schools in any way we can to promote good health and healthier lifestyles."
Additional companies involved in this year's event include:
- Bridgestone La Vergne Plant
- City Auto
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- General Mills
- Kroger
- Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation
- Murfreesboro Medical Clinic Weight Loss and Wellness
- MTSU Women's Basketball Team
- Parks
- Publix Store #1163
- Publix Store #1164
- St. Thomas Rutherford
- St. Thomas Stones River Hospital
- Standard Register
- UPS
Event sponsors include Parks, Regions, City Auto, Guaranty Trust, Advance Financial Foundation and La Vergne Smiles Family Dentistry.
This year's Hometown Huddle was in memory of United Way Board of Director and volunteer, Carl Quakenbush (1952-2015).
To learn more about the impact of United Way in Rutherford and Cannon Counties, visitwww.yourlocaluw.org. For more information about volunteering with United Way, visitwww.unitedwayvolunteer.org.
