Kohl's awards Penn State PRO Wellness $200,000 for Building Healthy Lebanon Schools Initiative

Funding will be used to develop, coordinate and administer wellness education programming in six Lebanon County school districts

Kohl's has awarded $200,000 to Penn State PRO Wellness to engage families and facilitate programs focused on healthy eating and physical activity in six school districts across Lebanon County.

PRO Wellness, which is part of Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, will help districts make data-driven decisions to address barriers and improve the health and academic achievement and growth of students.

“Lebanon County has a high rate of obesity, as compared to other counties throughout the Commonwealth, and has seen a decline in 2017 health ranking outcomes. In an effort to reverse this trend, we can encourage and promote lifelong healthy eating and physical activity habits by implementing school health initiatives,” said Dr. Jennifer Kraschnewski, executive director of PRO Wellness. “We are happy to partner with Kohl's and look forward to seeing wellness programs and policies put into place so they can begin to make a real difference throughout the county's 34 public schools.”

This funding will support PRO Wellness in its efforts to make sustainable, evidence-based wellness changes in all six Lebanon County school districts. By promoting practices that support healthy living, schools can help ensure healthier lives for the next generation. Through the establishment and support of school wellness councils and wellness champions, PRO Wellness will guide schools through a two-year process to identify district need, develop an action plan and implement sustainable nutrition promotion, physical activity and family and community engagement programs.

Since 2006, Kohl's has donated more than $1.8 million to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl's sells $5 books and soft toys, where 100 percent of net profit benefits children's health initiatives nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl’s has raised more than $317 million through the program. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.

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