Fit2Play, a childhood obesity prevention program of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, has been honored by the Florida Blue Foundation, a branch of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation Inc., with the “2017 Sapphire Award.”
As the winner for the “program category,” Fit2Play received $50,000.
Fit2Play is the gold standard, evidence-based after-school program model of the National Parks and Recreation Association. The daily program includes Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) and EmpowerMe4Life, a nutrition education curriculum grounded in the American Heart Association’s recommendations.
The Sapphire Awards honor outstanding work by individuals, programs and nonprofit organizations in community healthcare, or healthcare-related fields, distinguished by leadership, innovation and achievements in community health.
Miami-Dade Parks was among 15 winners, runnersup and honorable mentions named at the conclusion of the two-day Sapphire Symposium, on Apr. 20, in Orlando, that featured community health experts from around the state and country.
“The state of Florida is fortunate to have so many outstanding individuals, programs and organizations focusing on community health,” said Susan Towler, Florida Blue Foundation vice president.
“They all care deeply about the people they serve, and they are a major force in helping Florida Blue in its mission to help people and communities achieve better health,” she added.
“On behalf of our Parks Department and the Miami-Dade Parks Foundation, I must say we are thrilled and honored to receive this prestigious award from the Florida Blue Foundation,” said Maria Nardi, Miami-Dade Parks deputy director. “These funds will allow us to continue to provide our youth with more of the same great Fit2Play programming that is helping them to live healthier lives.”
For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/parks.
