Students at an elementary school in Rego Park, Queens, planted a vegetable garden to learn about the benefits of healthy eating.
Fifth- and sixth-graders at the “I have a Dream” Foundation in Long Island City, Queens, started a bike club called “The Dreamers” to learn about how exercise affected their bodies and minds.
Student volunteers from the Center for the Urban Environment’s Answer with Action program conducted research on obesity and publicized their findings to the community.

All of the projects were made possible by grants from the UnitedHealth Group HEROES program. The grants went to programs that get friends, classmates and community members moving toward a healthier lifestyle.

In its second year, UnitedHealth HEROES is now open to new applications from youth organizations with creative ideas for spreading the word about childhood obesity in 2010.

“With UnitedHealth HEROES, we are helping young people take action to improve their overall health and quality of life in a way that’s not only educational, but beneficial for their communities,” said Bill Golden, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of New York.  “As students, teachers and community leaders collaborate to raise awareness and develop programs, they make the positive changes that lead the fight against childhood obesity.”

After school programs, bike clubs and dance-offs are just some of the innovative programs “Health Heroes” have been able to bring to their communities with the help of a UnitedHealth Group grant.  In its first year, UnitedHealth Group awarded $67,000 in HEROES grants to 100 schools and community organization in 15 states, including 12 in the state of New York.

To get an application for a UnitedHealth HEROES grant, visit www.ysa.org and click on the “UnitedHealth HEROES link under “Support – Get Funding” or the “UnitedHealth HEROES” link under “What’s New.” Applications for 2010 HEROES grants must be submitted online before midnight Thursday, Oct. 22. Grant recipients will be notified in December and January.