CSR Press Release

Chicago, Sep. 01 /CSRwire/ - The Chicago Park District and its nonprofit partner, Parkways Foundation, recently received $100,000 from the Abbott Fund to launch a new Abbott Fund Wellness Program in Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave. The new program is the second $100,000 donation from the Abbott Fund for a Wellness Program at a Chicago Park District location following the June 2008 opening at Broadway Armory Par k, 5917 N. Broadway St. The Abbott Fund is the philanthropic foundation of Abbott, a leading global health care company with headquarters in northern Chicagoland.

"This new wellness program is part of a city-wide effort to decrease obesity rates," said Timothy J. Mitchell, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO. "The generous support of the Abbott Fund will have a positive impact on the health of the Humboldt Park community."

Recent studies have shown obesity and diabetes as major health issues in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. The new Abbott Fund Wellness Center will provide the community with multifaceted nutrition and fitness programming that includes year-round programming of fitness classes, inflatable jumping gyms, fitness arcading, and more.

Brenda Palm, Executive Director of Parkways Foundation, said, "The Abbott Fund's lead support for this Wellness Program serves as a powerful example of the momentum that private funding brings to launching new health living programming in the parks. This initiative is possible through generous supporters along with key partnerships and collaborations."

"The Abbott Fund is pleased to partner once again with the Park District and Parkways Foundation to help improve the health of families in Chicago," said Cindy Schwab, vice president, Abbott Fund. "A key focus for the Abbott Fund is building healthier communities, and this new Wellness Program will help provide fun ways to get fit and learn about nutrition and healthy living."

The new Abbott Wellness Center is the result of a citywide effort led by the Interdepartmental Task Force on Childhood Obesity, comprised of Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago Youth Services, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District. Together, these organizations are working to establish wellness centers in high-risk areas of obesity throughout the city of Chicago to meet the health and fitness needs of children and families.

The Chicago Park District's mission promotes, encourages and motivates the development of a physically active and healthy lifestyle for Chicagoans of all ages and abilities. Every week, one out of three Chicagoans - more than 900,000 residents - uses their neighborhood park, participating in the thousands of program offerings.

For more information about the Chicago Park District's more than 7,600 acres of parkland, 570 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 10 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 natural areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling 312/742.PLAY.

Since its inception in 1994, Parkways Foundation has been funding park projects all over Chicago. The foundation has raised millions of dollars toward historic preservation and restoration, programming initiatives and environmental enrichment. Parkways Foundation seeks private investment to enrich the physical and cultural landscape of Chicago's neighborhood parks. For more information about the Parkways Foundation, please call 312.742.4808.

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