NEW HYDE PARK, NY (June 23, 2015) – Pupils from Manorhaven Elementary School in Port Washington wrapped up their “Walk to Fitness” at the school yesterday as part of a ceremony that featured Kohl’s Department Stores donating $333,855 to Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
The grant was awarded through the Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program.
The funds will support Cohen’s Kohl’s Cares Keeping Kids Healthy Program, which provides fitness and nutritional education designed to combat childhood obesity. The program partners with area elementary schools and community-based organizations to deliver interactive education and activities that reinforce the importance of proper nutrition and exercise.
Cohen Children's with Kohl’s Cares Keeping Kids Healthy Program organized a Walk to Fitness at the Port Washington school. Pupils were provided with pedometers and other support materials through the Kohl’s Cares program to conduct a virtual walk from the school to various locations across the country.
The Walk was made especially poignant because the school and students dedicated it to 9-year-old Seraphina O’Brien of Port Washington, a student at Manorhaven, who was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in October of 2014. Seraphina is in remission thanks to the care she received at Cohen.
At an event that celebrated Seraphina’s remarkable progress and her eventual return to school, hundreds of students gathered on the athletic field to complete the last lap of their Walk to Fitness. Dressed in purple (Seraphina’s favorite color), the children circled a field to pass by the victory flag held by Seraphina, her sister, and her proud parents.
Following the check presentation from Kohl’s to the hospital, Debbie Riccardi, PNP, Director of Community Outreach at Cohen, said, “ These wonderful children have together walked over 11 million steps---more than 5,000 miles---in honor of Seraphina.
“We know that walking is the easiest way to achieve fitness. We thank Kohl’s for their partnership since 2000, which has resulted in over $4 million in support to help us keep our children healthy.”
Also moved by the vision of hundreds of purple-clad children was Michael O’Brien, Seraphina’s father, who thanked Kohl’s for developing programs to help children and their families’ lead healthy lifestyles.
On a more personal note, he said, “As we approach Father’s Day, I especially want to thank everyone at Cohen who provided the excellent care that put Seraphina back on the road to health.”