Students from Mitchell Boulevard Elementary School in southeast Fort Worth participated in a “Get Up and Go! Walk” June 9 (photo at right) along with their families and other community residents. About 60 people enjoyed the one-and-a-half-mile walk, which was part of the countywide FitFuture™ initiative established by United Way to decrease obesity and promote physical activity and good nutrition.

Fort Worth City Council Representative Kathleen Hicks (in center of photo at lower right)  kicked off the "Get Up and Go! Walk." Participants had an opportunity to be matched with walking buddies in their neighborhoods. A bounce house and other activities were set up, and there were drawings for prizes such as iPods. Sponsors of the event included United Way, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth ISD and the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC).

Mitchell Boulevard Elementary School is situated in a part of Fort Worth that has some of the county's highest levels of obesity. United Way has organized and funded a three-year FitFuture™ project at
the school that combines exercise, nutrition education and family involvement. The project is a partnership with the UNTHSC School of Public Health and JPS Health Network Department of Family Medicine. (Photos courtesy Bill Carter/JPS Health Network)