OCEANSIDE, Calif. – As Oceanside students return to school for the fall semester, the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation is welcoming local youngsters back to their Miles of Smiles Program. Dedicated teachers and administrators facilitate the program in their school, recruiting students to participate and engaging them to practice healthy movement throughout the academic year. Parents can register their students until Sept. 12. To see if your school is participating or to explore launching Miles of Smiles at your school, visit www.moveyourfeetfoundation.org/miles-of-smiles-program.
One such teacher is Hyun Young, who coordinates Miles of Smiles at Casita Center for Technology, Science & Math. Young was honored by the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation last year with the Volunteer Of The Year award. Young saw her program through the pandemic, and, amid the challenges of the last three years, continued to grow her school’s running club. Close to 100 students participated from the 3rd and 4th grade classes.
“I’ve been a wellness coordinator at Casita Center since 2015. I knew that the kids at our school needed something to motivate them to be healthier,” said Young. “This past year, even with the pandemic and restrictions, kids were excited to be back. They had energy pent up and this gave them a place to connect with their friends, run, walk, and be part of something bigger. It’s not just about physical health; it’s about mental health too.”
Casita Center’s program returns this school year, as well as at Christa McAuliffe, Del Rio Elementary, Libby Elementary, Laurel Elementary, San Luis Rey Elementary, Stuart Mesa, South Oceanside Elementary, North Terrace, and the Oceanside Boys and Girls Club.
The goal of the program is to have students average at least one mile per day to help put a smile on their face and improve focus in the classroom. The Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation provides individual mileage completion certificates, classroom mileage charts, and running feet charms to participating schools. Each year, students who run 50 miles in a semester will receive a pair of Miles of Smiles shoelaces in recognition of their efforts. This year, Running Across California car magnets are awarded to students who complete 170 miles.
For more information about Miles of Smiles and the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation, visit www.moveyourfeetfoundation.org.
About Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation
The Carlsbad-based Move Your Feet Before You Eat®! Foundation was created to promote health and well-being by incorporating regular physical fitness into daily life. Through programming and fundraising, the foundation seeks to encourage healthy lifestyles and movement throughout North San Diego County. Since 2007, the foundation has donated more than $420,000 to nonprofits and schools that share their mission and vision for a happier, healthier community. For more information about Miles of Smiles and the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation, visit www.moveyourfeetfoundation.org.
