Schoolkids who get 'Back in Motion' can help out their schools

Pat the Patriot featured in a recent Boston Back in Motion promo video encouraging kids to get active.

This month, Dorchester elementary students will have a chance to win money for their schools through exercise, thanks to $25,000 in grants recently announced by The Boston Foundation and The Reebok Foundation as part of Boston Back in Motion, an initiative aimed at inspiring young Bostonians to stay active as schools transition back to in-person learning.

Boston Back in Motion is a month-long campaign, online toolkit, and fitness challenge program to get young people in grades 1 through 8 engaged in daily movement. Each week, participants are asked to complete a survey about the amount of movement their class/program achieved. The schools or community-based organizations with the most participation at the end of April will receive prizes. 

The grand prizes will include a $5,000 grant from The Boston Foundation to a winning school or community-based organization (if the winner is a classroom, $2,500 will go to the school and $2,500 will go directly to the classroom with the highest amount of participation) and a Play Ball Event hosted by The Red Sox Foundation. Four finalist schools or community-based organizations serving young people will receive a $5,000 grant. Three grants will be funded by The Boston Foundation and one grant by The Reebok Foundation. 

Additionally, participants in the Boston Back in Motion program will be entered to win a variety of prizes on a weekly basis, including over $3,000 worth of Reebok gift cards, courtesy of The Reebok Foundation, Boston sports memorabilia, and Boston Back in Motion merchandise. 

“It’s been a challenging year and kids in Boston need to be inspired to move and remain active now more than ever,” said Elizabeth Pauley of The Boston Foundation. “Through Boston Back in Motion, we’re thrilled to be able to provide grants and prizes that will help motivate schools and non-profits to help kids find joy through movement this spring.” 

Additionally, during April Vacation, Boston Back in Motion will host a “Show Us Your Moves” Social Media Challenge. Daily raffle prizes will be distributed via social media on Instagram and Twitter to any Boston Back In Motion participants who demonstrate how they are moving by posting a message or video with their favorite moves and tagging @Bos_InMotion with #BostonBackinMotion. 

The effort is being led by The Boston Foundation through a partnership with Playworks New England, BOKS Kids, and BPS Moves Together as well as Boston-based institutional partners such as the Red Sox Foundation, the Boston Bruins Foundation, the New England Revolution Charitable Foundation, the New England Patriots Foundation, The Boston Athletic Association, and others who continue to join the movement.  

For more information on Boston Back in Motion and to sign-up, please visit BostonBackinMotion.com.

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