School is Amazing

So this is neat…in the past I have made various comments along the lines that the Mets should befriend blogs and help spread the word of the good they do.  Not much of that stuff gets out there.

Did you know that Niese, Pelfrey, Nieve, Cora, Maine and Takahashi visited schools on Monday?   I happily share the below, and hope I have the opportunity to share many many more of these:

METS AND EMBLEMHEALTH TEAM UP TO CELEBRATE EDUCATION WITH SCHOOL IS AMAZING PROGRAM

Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Alex Cora, Hisanori Takahashi Among Mets Players to Visit Four New York City Public Schools This Week

Program Supports Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign to Combat Childhood Obesity

FLUSHING, N.Y., May 11, 2010 – The New York Mets and EmblemHealth, the New York-based health insurance provider, today announced that Mets players including Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Alex Cora and Hisanori Takahashi, visited four middle schools across New York City yesterday and today in celebration of School Is Amazing. The players joined students in fitness programs in support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign to combat childhood obesity through exercise and nutrition.

On Monday, May 10, the players visited M.S. 239K in Coney Island where they participated in a physical education program designed by the students, and M.S. 140 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side where they joined the girls’ basketball team in drills before a scrimmage. On Tuesday, May 11, Mets players were outside helping students learn how to ride bicycles at P.S. 55 in the Bronx, and refereed relay races at I.S. 449 in Flushing.

School Is Amazing celebrates academics, athletics, the arts, friendship and the opportunity to learn and develop intellectually and socially.  EmblemHealth’s participation in the program promotes the connection between academic accomplishment and a healthy lifestyle including good nutrition and exercise.

The School Is Amazing program was launched in 2006 by the Mets, and is sponsored by EmblemHealth and the New York City Department of Education.  The program continues to reinforce the benefits of education and attendance, and allows students the opportunity to express what they most enjoy about school.

“The Mets proudly partner with EmblemHealth to help make education the cornerstone of a better future for kids in our community,” said Dave Howard, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, New York Mets.  “By bringing our players directly to the kids at their schools, we believe the School Is Amazing initiative makes education meaningful to students in a fun environment and presents a positive outlook on the importance of learning.”

“We’re delighted to continue our participation in this wonderful program that complements our other initiatives to combat childhood obesity through exercise and nutrition,” said Frank Branchini, President and COO, EmblemHealth.  “When we provide kids with the tools and knowledge to make life-long healthy choices, we consider that a home run!”