The Compton Unified School District was recently awarded $10,000 in funding to expand student health and wellness in a partnership between America’s Dairy Farmers and the Los Angeles Chargers through the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60) program announced. The $10,000 ‘Hometown Grant’ was awarded during a special virtual school assembly for McKinley Elementary where students learned about the importance of fueling up with healthy foods and getting 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

We are excited about the San Diego Chargers and Fuel Up to Play 60’s commitment to students within Compton Unified School District. Their generous donation will enhance and support our efforts to ensure Compton scholars at McKinley Elementary are able to enjoy the nutritional and educational benefits associated with increased access to healthy meals and physical activity on a regular basis,” said Compton Unified’s Superintendent Darin Brawley, “In a District such as ours where 94% of our students qualify for free/reduced priced lunch, partnerships such as this, to increase nutrition and physical activity for students are vital.”

The ‘Hometown Grant’ means students at McKinley Elementary will join the 14 million students who are eating healthier, 18 million students who are being more active and 130,000 adults who are enrolled and empowering youth in the United States through one national program – Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60).

“America’s dairy farmers are dedicated to helping to build healthier kids and communities because we know that kids who eat well and are physically active do better in school and in life. This partnership with the Chargers helps to bring much needed resources into deserving school districts like Compton USD to support their wellness goals – we’re excited to see what they will do,” said Alyssa McClelland, Fuel Up to Play 60 Manager in CA.

Developed by FUTP 60 and the National Football League (NFL), the ‘Hometown Grant’ program provides teams and farmer funded dairy organizations the opportunity to identify deserving schools and school districts and provide them with funding to help meet their health and wellness goals. Each of the 32 NFL Clubs are partnering with FUTP 60 and local dairy representatives to provide $10,000 grants in communities throughout the country totaling a $320,000 investment in youth health and wellness.

“Knowledge is power, and teaching kids how important it is to eat right, exercise and take care of their bodies will help them develop healthy habits that they can carry with them throughout their lives,” said Chargers President-Business Operations A.G. Spanos. “The Los Angeles Chargers are proud to support the Compton Unified School District and partner with Fuel Up to Play 60 to stress the importance of getting 60 minutes of physical activity a day and provide kids a roadmap for how to lead a healthy life.”

Created in partnership by the NFL and National Dairy Council, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 is the nation’s largest in-school wellness program creating real transformational change in more than 73,000 schools nationwide. The national in-school nutrition and physical-activity program is activated in California by the state’s more than 1,300 dairy farm families. Since fall 2014, FUTP 60 has helped to award more than $700,000 in equipment and grants to schools throughout California in support of their wellness goals.

LA Chargers' Mike Willie proudly hands over a $10,000 check to McKinley's Principal, Ms. Pugh, while Chase Hartman from the LA Chargers, Alyssa McClelland from Fuel Up to Play 60, Michael Oosten from America's Dairy Farmers, and CUSD's Alicia Weyeneth and Dr. Jennifer K. Moon excitedly look on!

Now in their 63rd season, the Chargers continue to stretch the imagination and put on the most exciting show in football. Behind the dramatic games, unforgettable highlights, beloved players, groundbreaking performances, idyllic Southern California setting and best uniforms in the NFL lies an uncompromising drive for success – one rooted in toughness, resilience and good old-fashioned hard work. A charter member of the American Football League, the franchise was established in Los Angeles in 1960 and called the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum home during its first year of existence. From 1961 to 2016, the team played in San Diego and advanced to five of the first six AFL Championship games ever played. The Chargers claimed the 1963 AFL title and later joined the National Football League when the two leagues merged in 1970. Since the merger, the Chargers have gone on to appear in Super Bowl XXIX and have captured an additional 10 division titles. The Chargers were purchased by construction leader, philanthropist and real estate developer Alex G. Spanos in 1984 and have been under the guidance of Spanos’ eldest son Dean, the team’s current Chairman of the Board, since 1994. Dean Spanos’ sons – A.G. Spanos, President of Business Operations, and John Spanos, President of Football Operations – oversee the day-to-day operations of the franchise. The Chargers returned to Los Angeles in 2017, began playing games in their new multi-billion-dollar SoFi Stadium home in 2020 and continue to redefine what an NFL franchise looks like in the 21st century. For more information, call 1-877-CHARGERS or visit http://www.chargers.com.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which was founded by America’s dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. The program additionally encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Because of the program, last year 14 million students made better food choices and 18 million are getting more physically active during the school day. Visit fueluptoplay60.com to learn more.

McKinley is a welcoming, friendly school that delivers an outstanding educational program. Learning fully integrates the arts in daily instruction through weekly music, visual art, dance, and theater instruction for all grades. The program also has an actively performing rock band, orchestra, and English language learner journalism program. Scholars are encouraged to reach their full potential with the support, dedication, and talent of our highly skilled teachers. Developing communication skills, collaborative opportunities, critical higher order thinking, and creativity are the hallmarks of our philosophy. Commitment to caring for our community, providing a safe and nurturing environment, and ensuring every child feels heard and valued enables our students to successfully contribute to a culturally diverse and technologically savvy society. McKinley’s mantra is to elevate scholars academically, socially, and emotionally. That’s the M3 way! McKinley Mighty Movers! For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/mckinley.eagles.3