GMC and The United Way Rebuild a NJ Playground

October 18, 2011 10:00 am ET

GMC, in partnership with the United Way, worked with 15 local volunteers from the National Starch Association to install playground equipment at The Learning Gate in Bridgewater, N.J., on October 17. The event was part of GMC’s ongoing Monday Night Football Tour.

The Learning Gate, a non-profit child care center, only had equipment for older kids, so staff had to keep younger children in the sandbox during play time. The new equipment, specifically designed for the early childhood age group (2 – 5 years old) gives the younger attendees more options during their play time.

GMC is funding the construction of United Way Healthy Kids Zones—Driven by GMC in each of its nine tour stop cities as part of United Way’s nationwide effort to get 1.9 million more kids active and healthy by 2018.

“GMC is proud to partner with the United Way on this impactful program,” Tony DiSalle, U.S. Vice President of GMC Marketing. “More than 300 volunteers are generously contributing about a thousand hours of their time and energy on the construction of these playgrounds, and by doing so will help encourage countless children to live active, healthy lifestyles.”

Now in its 37th year, the NFL-United Way partnership connects NFL PLAY 60 with United Way’s goal to increase youth health and wellness. Studies show the obesity rate among children has nearly doubled in the last 10 years, with approximately 9 million American children over six years old considered obese and at high risk for health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.