METAIRIE, LA – UnitedHealthcare and the New Orleans Saints teamed up Thursday, March 23, at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility, 5800 Airline Dr., in Metairie, to demonstrate the importance of physical activity to nearly 135 students from St. Michael Special School.
Sponsored by UnitedHealthcare, this Saints Junior Training Camp was developed with the NFL PLAY 60 message in mind, which encourages kids to get active for at least 60 minutes a day with the goal of helping them increase their physical activity and fight childhood obesity. The unique All-Abilities Junior Training Camp experience featured seven modified skills stations, designed to give the St. Michael Special School students (ages eight and up with varying developmental skills) a way to be as equally active as other school kids throughout the community.
During the morning event, nearly 135 students rotated through the skills stations learning the importance of physical activity. New Orleans Saints Offensive Lineman John Fullington and Defensive End Mitchell Loewen, with the help of UnitedHealthcare-Gulf States CEO, Joe Ochipinti and his team, demonstrated the drills and discussed the fundamentals of football, good sportsmanship and the importance of physical activity.
Joining the players to engage and entertain the students were Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints mascot and Dr. Health E. Hound, UnitedHealthcare’s mascot.
Nearly 12 percent of Louisiana students are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By providing this all-inclusive Jr. Training Camp experience, UnitedHealthcare and the New Orleans Saints demonstrated their commitment to ensuring that all children receive the guidance they need to get and stay fit, event reps said.
UnitedHealthcare-Gulf States CEO Joe Ochipinti teaches proper passing technique to a young St. Michael Special School student at the Saints All-Abilities Junior Training Camp.
