Phoebe Sumter Medical Center: News - Leonard Pope will host Kids Day on Saturday, June 26th.

NFL Player Leonard Pope Will Host Kids Day on Saturday, June 26th

Will partner with Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in an effort to create awareness about the dangers of childhood obesity

Americus native Leonard Pope wanted to do something different this year for his annual event for kids in his hometown.
"Childhood obesity is an epidemic here in the United States, and those numbers are even worse in the South," said Pope, a three-year NFL veteran who he currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs after beginning his career with the Arizona Cardinals. "With that in mind, I wanted to use this event as a way to draw attention to this cause and try to make a difference by stressing the importance of kids getting in motion and living a healthy lifestyle."

During a recent to his hometown hospital, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Pope announced a partnership with his C.H.A.M.P. foundation (Creating Hope And Making Progress) and the hospital for his upcoming Kids Day.

"The NFL has a program in place that stresses the importance of kids getting out of the house and getting active (The NFL at 60), and I wanted to use that as a basis for my annual Fun Day here in Americus," said Pope, who helped lead Americus High School to two state football titles before having an all-star career for UGA. "We will still have fun, but there will be a lot of activities for the kids to keep them moving and help them work up a sweat."

"Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is excited to partner with Leonard to help fight childhood obesity and promote overall children's health," said Marcus Johnson, Director of Marketing & PR at Phoebe Sumter. "Helping kids become more active will lead to healthier lifestyles down the road, and that is something that we all want to do because it will help the children live healthier and more productive lives. Phoebe Sumter will offer health screenings and other information during the event, and we hope that other organizations will join in as well."

Pope's Kids Day will be held on Saturday, June 26th at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Americus. The event will start with a Fitness Walk that will begin at Staley Middle School. Registration for the walk will begin at 8 am at Staley and the walk will begin promptly at 9 am. The participants of this walk will be led by Pope and his NFL friends to the Fairgrounds, where there will be vendors as well as information booths that stress healthy lifestyles.

At 10 am, participants will then be led in exercises and football drills by Pope, his NFL friends and members of both the Americus-Sumter and Southland Academy football teams. This will last approximately one-hour before lunch is served at 11 am. The event will end at Noon, and the players will sign autographs throughout the event rather than picking a specific time.

For more information, call (229) 942-5173.

Itinerary for Leonard Pope's Kids Day 2010
Sponsors: Phoebe Sumter Medical Center; Carter's Fried Chicken; TYSTANIC; Glover Foods

Saturday, June 26th - Americus, GA

8 am - 9 am - Registration for Fitness Walk with NFL Players

Parents Please Note: This will take place at Staley Middle School, so if you want your children to participate please drop them off at Staley and you can then go to the Sumter County Fairgrounds

9 am - 9:30 am - Fitness Walk from Staley Middle School to Sumter County Fairgrounds (approx. 1.5 miles)

10 am - Welcome/Football Drills and Activities/Vendors & Information Booths

11 am - Lunch is served

Noon - Event ends

Players will sign autographs throughout the event; There will not be a set time for this activity.

The children who participate in the Fitness Walk will receive their t-shirts first. Any remaining shirts will be distributed at the Fairgrounds after the walk.