Join Our Movement!

I wish you could have been with me this past month as I visited two of our local LifeStar Challenge programs.  Had you been at St. Gregory’s, you would have seen kids who teacher/coach Monica described as ‘barely able to walk a lap or two now running one to two miles almost daily.’ You would have heard her say, “We could see the benefits first hand by more confidence in the classroom, better food choices in their lunches, and sheer joy on their faces when they run.”
 
At St. Francis, you would have seen 100 kids grade 4-6 running laps – wearing their plastic stars ‘like they’re gold.’ You would have seen junior high kids, parents with younger kids, other teachers, and the school nurse all out there helping. You would have heard Coach Erin say that unlike other similar programs, the LifeStar Challenge is one that keeps them coming back and has changed their diets and exercise habits.  It’s one that has “involved our families and helped our school grow as a community.” 

" I felt like I was stronger. I feel like I got healthier and active. My mom ran with  me and I was able to run farther.  I think it is important to be physically  active so you live longer and will be  healthier.”  (Isaac, age 10) 

Had you been there you would have experienced first hand the impact we’re having on the lives of these underserved kids and families.  That a program that begins with one enthusiastic coach and a few kids can within a short time grow into a community effort – a LifeStar community.   
 

Healthy LifeStars depends on the generosity of community members like you to help us with our mission of growing LifeStars – kids who commit to living an active healthy life now and in the future.  This year we plan to continue growing St. Francis, St. Gregory and our other 22 program sites.  And double our number of sites to 50.  Picture yourself as part of this exciting movement to grow LifeStars and LifeStar communities – 1 kid at a time. 
 
See in your mind’s eye that 1 eager kid running laps and collecting his ‘gold stars’ thanks to your $30 contribution. Imagine how rewarding it would be to support 5 kids by contributing $150. More exciting, imagine the impact if you recruited a group of friends or colleagues and collectively contributed $1500 to support a new site of 50 kids!    

Contributions may be submitted online at donate or mailed to Healthy LifeStars, 755 E. Willetta Street, Suite 139, Phoenix, AZ 85006-2796. Healthy LifeStars is a program of the Azimuth Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.  All donations are tax-deductible. 
 

Thank you for partnering with us in this larger community effort. 
   

Ruann F Ernst, Chair
Board of Directors