Coborns hosts ‘Fuel up to play 60’ event

by Cori Hilsgen

news@thenewsleaders.com

St. Joseph Coborns was recently part of an all-Coborn’s-stores outdoor kids event, “Fuel up to play 60.”

The event, for children 16 and younger, was held as part of a school-wellness program meant to encourage children to make healthy food choices and to participate in active play at least 60 minutes a day.  The program is a partnership with the Minnesota Dairy Association and the Minnesota Vikings.

Each child who attended the event received a passport. If they participated in five activity stations and received a total of five stamps on their passport, they received a prize of an apple, water and string cheese.

Outdoor activities included a basketball and football toss, Frisbee throw, mini golf, jump rope and a bounce-house station.

Kim Dezelske is the front-end manager and bookkeeper at the St. Joseph Coborn’s and organized the event. This is the second children’s event Dezelske has organized. The first one was held in indoors in the winter.

Dezelske said more than 30 children participated in the outside activities until the weather changed and the event was moved indoors due to rain and thunderstorms.

“The kids enjoyed being outdoors and being physically active instead of it being an indoor carnival type of event,” she said.

“Fuel up to play 60” is about encouraging children to be active for 60 minutes a day. Kids don’t get outside as much as they used to. This is a good way to encourage them to have fun and be active outdoors, Dezelske said.

“I think it’s important,” she said.

Dezelske is the mother of five children who are now ages 18 to 25. She said she used to encourage her own children to play outside every day. She doesn’t think children are getting that opportunity as much and felt the “Fuel up” event was a good activity to promote outdoor activities.

Corey Geers and James Ano helped at the basketball toss station. Geers is a cashier, bagger, wrap and stock employee at Coborn’s. He plans to attend St. Cloud Technical College in the fall and then hopes to transfer to St. John’s University. Ano is a cashier and bagger at Coborn’s. He is a senior at Apollo High School.

“It was really enjoyable watching the kids have a good time, and then notice yourself having a fun time as well,” Geers said.

“It’s fun seeing the kids smile and have fun while being active and helping them,” Ano said.

St. John’s football player and wrestler Paul Plombon also attended the event to encourage children to stay active. He is a senior at SJU studying communications and says it’s important to stay active to be healthy.

A drawing for two tickets to this year’s Vikings-Packers football game, and $100 and $75 gift cards for Viking’s apparel was also held. The winner of the tickets was Ron Delinski.