North Babylon, NY, June 21, 2011 - Cablevision's Power to Learn, as part of its new pilot program with the popular online charity DonorsChoose.org, presented students at North Babylon High School with a $2,500 grant for a district-wide student athlete health and fitness program.  Joining students and faculty for the kick-off event was Babylon Town Supervisor and North Babylon High School Alumnus Steve Bellone.

Video of Event  (01:25 mins)

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An extension of Power to Learn's Healthy Kids initiative, the pilot program available to Long Island schools will be featured on the DonorsChoose.org website and will fund teacher-requested projects related to health, nutrition and fitness that will launch after the start of the 2011-2012 school year.  Cablevision will match contributions to support these classroom projects, with an overall impact of the grants to be $40,000.

At the event, Principal Ray Williams introduced Cablevision's VP of Education Trent Anderson, who discussed the launch of the pilot program and what it entailed. Town Supervisor Bellone then spoke to the students and praised them for their efforts.  Dean of Discipline Barbara Brown discussed how the grant would be used to further the nutrition/fitness goals of the school district for the following school year.  Student athletes spoke about how being involved in sports and having an active lifestyle have affected her life in a positive way.

Said Town Supervisor Bellone, "I'm extremely proud that my alma mater is the first school on Long Island to be awarded this grant and that they are focused on the important interrelationship between good health and well-being.  I'd like to first thank Cablevision for launching this important health-related program, and I look forward to see the students plan put into action in the coming school year."

Principal Williams added, "I'd like to thank Cablevision for this grant which will certainly help advance programs throughout the district related to nutrition and fitness.  I'd also like to recognize the student athletes who participated today and will be involved with mentoring younger students regarding good eating habits and the importance of exercise.  While every school is centered on academics, it's critical that we also focus on the whole student - including nutrition and wellness."