Ravens Pledge $100,000 For Physical Fitness

The Baltimore Ravens All Community Team Foundation (RACTF) will be awarding close to $100,000 in grants to 21 nonprofit organizations in Baltimore City and surrounding counties. Through the Ravens Plan in Motion project, these qualifying organizations will each receive up to $5,000 for initiating and/or continuing programs or projects that promote physical fitness and nutrition education.

Grants will be used for a variety of programs and projects that encourage healthy youth activities. Approved projects to receive grants include: The Junior League of Baltimore's trip for 150 youth to Port Discovery for the "Kids in the Kitchen" day; the Baltimore County Police Athletic League's implementation of dance classes at 2 PAL centers and establishment of intramural softball at an additional center; the "Fitness First" program of the Howard County Autism Society, providing a wellness program with physical activity for autistic children each month; and the "Healthy Kids, Healthy Habits" program at the YMCA of Central Maryland – Chinquapin Community Middle School, providing hands-on experiences with nutrition education for 200 children.

The Ravens All Community Team Foundation is dedicated to improving and facilitating the healthy development of youth in Baltimore and throughout the state of Maryland.

Inactivity among the nation's youth is a great concern, and research has shown that children who are physically active are less likely to participate in negative behaviors. This grant program has been designed to encourage healthy youth activities and promote the importance of nutrition and exercise for children.

The Plan in Motion project required that all applicants be 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations and promote physical fitness and/or nutrition education among youth aged 5-18. Requests were fulfilled only for those proposals that take place in Maryland. Applications were received between April 1 and May 31, 2007. Project implementation for all grant recipients will take place between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008.

Ravens Plan In Motion Grant Recipients:

Baltimore County Police Athletic League
Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
Boys iI Men Mentoring Program
Camp Umoja at Notre Dame Prep
Child First Authority
Community Assistance Network
Get Youth Moving
Heroes Helping Heroes
Howard County Austism Society
Junior League of Baltimore, Inc.
Learning Inc.
Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Inc.
New Song Academy
Reisterstown Youth, Inc.
Sisters Academy of Baltimore, Inc.
St. Augustine School
The Family Tree
The Salvation Army – Richard Hazel Youth Center
YMCA of Central Maryland – Chinquapin Community Middle
YMCA of Central Maryland – Dunbar Middle
YMCA of Central Maryland – General Wolfe Elementary

For more information on the Ravens ACT Foundation or the Ravens Plan In Motion project, visit baltimoreravens.com.