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2006 Kids Rock StarsWhen school started on August 8, 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona nearly 800 children in various Phoenix elementary schools started school running. Truly running! Chances for Children-Arizona provided $100,000.00 in program funding to the Kids Rock Stars a program delivered through Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The Kids Rock Star program teaches children the importance of exercise and good nutrition, while motivating them to be physically active. Participants ages 6-13 are challenged to complete a marathon of their own by running, jogging, and walking one mile at a time during the fall semester, with the culminating mile being run on January 15, 2006 during the P.F. Chang’s Rock and Roll Marathon kid’s race. 95-98% of the participants in the Kids Rock Stars program qualify for free and reduced breakfast and lunch at their elementary schools. 85% of the students have parents who are monolingual, Spanish speakers. All of the participating schools have a physical education program that provides students 1-day per week of instruction. Teaming with locally owned Scottsdale Running Company, Changes for Children-Arizona continued its efforts towards reducing barriers to opportunities by purchasing 800 pairs of Nike Running shoes for participants. “We can provide nutrition education, incentives, transportation, and anything else, but none of this will do any good if we don’t ensure that children have the opportunity to run in properly fitted shoes so that they feel good while they are running”, said Scott Maxwell, CFC-AZ board member, “Scottsdale Running Company, clearly believes in the power of the community as a provider of opportunity for youth, without them this would not be possible”. Parent feedback regarding the program parallels the running success. Spring 2006 surveys reported:
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