IU Health Frankfort improving activities for local youth during Day of Service activities

Throughout September, Indiana University Health team members have helped with a variety of projects during Day of Service events. Day of Service is an opportunity for team members to trade in their usual tools (stethoscopes, laptops and pens) for shovels, paint brushes and hammers.

Today, IU Health Frankfort team members installed natural playground elements at Bauer Family Resources Head Start at Hawthorne Hall during their annual Day of Service.

These natural installations provide young children with the opportunity to explore nature through safe play. Elements like mud kitchens, water tables, outdoor chalkboard / painting easels, sensory tables and raised gardens can all be included in natural playgrounds.

IU Health Frankfort team members were also at Blue Ridge Elementary using stencils to paint activities on the school playground. Students will be able to choose between different stations at recess including Four Square, hopscotch, yoga, a tessellation maze, USA map, giant checkers, jump rope station and a fitness activity circuit that students can hop, skip, jump and tiptoe their way through. The school expects this to help increase the amount of physical activity students will get at recess, as well as decrease the number of disciplinary infractions at recess.

“Physical activity opportunities in schools help to increase fitness, reduce obesity and maintain a healthy lifestyle. IU Health Frankfort is delighted to offer the students at Blue Ridge Elementary different activity stations for recess,” said Kelly Braverman, president of IU Health Frankfort Hospital.

Earlier, team members packed personal hygiene kits. Children and adults living in poverty often go without basic essential items to manage proper hygiene. Not all students have equal access to items such as deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes or shampoo. More often than not, students miss school because of the lack of basic personal hygiene supplies.

The personal hygiene kits were delivered to Clinton Prairie High School.