FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts
Zola Short, U.S. Soccer Foundation, zshort@ussoccerfoundation.org, 202.872.6656
Washington, D.C.–The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) has selected Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, to receive a 2011 PCFSN Community Leadership Award. The award is given annually to individuals who improve the lives of others within their community, by providing or enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activities, and fitness or nutrition-related programs.
In addition to overseeing all the of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs and initiatives, Ed Foster-Simeon has spearheaded the creation and implementation of Soccer for Success, a new and innovative youth development program that uses soccer as a tool to fight childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles for children in low-income urban communities. The Foundation partners with community based organizations across the country to operate Soccer for Success sites – providing thousands of children with free after-school programming.
“It is our pleasure to present this award to Ed Foster-Simeon,” says Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. “Physical activity and good nutrition are important components of living a healthy lifestyle, and we are pleased to recognize individuals like Ed who are committed to making a difference and positively influencing the health of their communities.
“It is an honor to receive the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition Community Leadership Award and to be recognized with so many other deserving individuals,” says Foster-Simeon. “The attention that this award brings to our work, particularly our focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and combating childhood obesity in underserved communities is invaluable.”
This year, the President’s Council presented the Community Leadership Award to 38 individuals across the country for making sports, physical activity, fitness, and nutrition-related programs available in their communities.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States. Established in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has invested more than $54 million, supporting hundreds of projects in every state. The U.S. Soccer Foundation supports programs and field building projects that provide low income and at-risk youth in urban communities with soccer programs that promote education, healthy lifestyles, leadership and positive alternatives to drugs, crime and other at-risk behaviors. For more information, or to donate online, please visit ussoccerfoundation.org.
About the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN)
PCFSN promotes healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs and initiatives that educate, engage and empower all Americans. PCFSN is a committee of volunteer citizens appointed by the President who serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For more information about PCFSN, visit www.fitness.gov. For more information about the President’s Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program or the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.
Media Request: When referring to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, please refer to the organization only as the U.S. Soccer Foundation or the Foundation, and never as USSF or US/U.S. Soccer. We appreciate your cooperation.
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