New Orleans – Aug. 31, 2017 – The Boys & Girls Clubs’ Louisiana/Mississippi Area Council recently awarded Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana’s Covington Club the Program of the Year. The honor was in the healthy lifestyles category and recognized the club for its implementation of the Chevron/ American Heart Association Teaching Garden Program.
The Teaching Garden Program was designed to provide the resources to educate the community on healthy living and as an approach to fight childhood obesity. Obesity affects nearly one-third of U.S. children, putting them at risk for heart disease.
“The Teaching Garden Program has been a huge success at the Covington Club. The kids were engaged through hands-on activities and motivated to adopt healthy lifestyles. We would like to thank American Heart Association and Chevron for bringing this program to the children of BGCSELA,” said Thomas Falgout, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana.
At the Covington Club, children harvested produce under the direction of Louisiana Master Gardener Tim Zimmerman. In addition to the Teaching Garden Program’s regular curriculum, the Covington Club took the lesson one step further with a cooking class designed to educate children on incorporating produce into healthy meals. This cooking demonstration was led by Chef Jeffrey Hansell of Covington’s Oxlot 9 restaurant.
“We would like to congratulate the Covington Club on this award,” said Leah Brown, Public Affairs Manager for Chevron. “The Teaching Garden Program combines nutrition education with garden-based learning. It is a real-life laboratory where students learn how to plant seeds, nurture growing plants, harvest produce and ultimately understand the value of good eating habits. Chevron is very happy to have played a role in bringing the program to the Covington Club.”
The Covington Club was recognized by the BGCSELA Louisiana/Mississippi Area Council for its outstanding execution and impact on the children who participated. Every year, the Council selects programs from each state in the categories of academic success, healthy lifestyles and character/leadership.
To learn more about BGCSELA, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit them online at bgcsela.org
5th Annual Hoops For Kids This Saturday
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana, Chevron and the City of Covington are once again teaming up for the Hoops for Kids Basketball Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Rev. Peter S. Atkins Park. Proceeds from the event will raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club in Covington.
“Chevron is proud to be a sponsor of the fifth annual Hoops for Kids Tournament. Over the years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana have made a significant impact through this community event,” said Leah Brown, Manager of Public Affairs for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. “Boys & Girls Clubs work to motivate and provide resources for young people to reach their full potential. For this reason, Chevron continues to support this tournament and Boys & Girls Clubs across the Gulf Coast.”
“With the help of Chevron, our clubs have been able to make a significant impact on the lives of children across the Gulf Coast,” said Thomas Falgout, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of SE Louisiana. “Through their financial support and employee volunteerism over the past five years, Chevron has made Hoops for Kids possible. We are thankful for their continued support and commitment to corporate social responsibility.”
Rev. Peter S. Atkins Park is located at the intersection of 28th Avenue and Tyler Street in Covington. Tournament takes place on Saturday, Sept. 9, with check-in running from 7-8:30 a.m., and the competition beginning at 9 a.m.
