They couldn’t be there in person to visit the schools as they usually do but that didn’t stop the Prince George Cougars from connecting as role models with elementary students.
Despite the limitations of the pandemic which ruled out face-to-face encounters, the Cougars utilized technology to virtually get their messages across about the importance of the importance of reading, education, increasing physical activity, practicing health behaviors, mental health wellbeing, and showing the spirit of kindness.
Partnering with the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and the Northern Health Authority, the Cougars created a virtual Spirit of Health Kids Regional Program and the winners of that competition have been determined. Each participating school was shown a video that featured Cougar players challenging the students to practice their own healthy lifestyle habits for two weeks. Eighteen schools entered the competition, which involved thousands of students.
“We’re very proud of our partnership with Northern Health and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, because together we have evolved the SOHK program into a meaningful and measurably successful program,” said Cougars vice-president, business Andy Beesley, in a team release.
“Being able to offer this program to schools throughout the north during a pandemic is a great achievement. We’re very proud of our players, who embraced this program and made a positive impact as roles models to hundreds of young students.”
The school judged to have the best overall participation was awarded a $5,000 grand prize funded by Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and Northern Health, while six other schools received $1,000 grants to be used to fund initiatives set out by the program.
Ecole LaGrande-Ourse of Smithers won the grand prize, which also includes free tickets for all students and teachers from that school for a Cougars WHL game during the 2021-22 season.
The $1,000 prizes went to Harwin Elementary (Prince George), Dragon Lake Elementary (Quesnel), Prespatou School (Prespatou), Morris Williams Elementary (Burns Lake) and Gitanyow Independent School (Kitwanga)
“We are truly touched in so many ways at the response, participation, and ideas that have surfaced through this program in such an unusual year.” said Judy Neiser, CEO for Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. “It speaks loudly to the role that health and well-being has played this year for us all. Keeping children active, engaged, and making it fun for the whole family is a goal that as a partner in this program, we strive for; this in itself is a win. For those who went above and beyond to secure an award that will leave a lasting gift for others to enjoy is truly remarkable.”
The Cougars will announce later how the general public can access the Spirit of Health Kids program.
