Continuing his goal of ending childhood obesity, fitness icon Jake “Body by Jake” Steinfeld, chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, has kicked off the year by selecting the State of Maine for its 2021 DON’T QUIT! Campaign. The foundation will deliver a state-of-the-art DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center to three elementary or middle schools. School nominations will be accepted until Friday, March 19. Visit natgovfit.org, then click on the state seal to download the short application.

“Childhood obesity is a serious problem that can follow a child into adulthood. I’ve declared war on this preventable disease and it’s inspiring to see elected leaders like Gov. Janet Mills immediately jump on board to join the battle and welcome us into the great state of Maine. Every governor we’ve partnered with recognizes that obesity is neither a Democratic nor Republican issue, it’s a kids’ issue and all have vowed to do everything possible to help,” said Jake Steinfeld, according to the release from the foundation. “So far we’ve delivered DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers to 36 states and Washington, D.C., and this year we are adding four more states to our family including Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. The response from every state we’ve visited has been awesome. Kids are excited about working out and being physically active and, as a result, their academic performance and self-esteem have skyrocketed. Now, Maine schools have an opportunity to make a change that will have a lasting impact on kids well into their future.”

“The coronavirus pandemic has only reinforced how important it is to keep our bodies and minds healthy,” said Mills. “I thank the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Centers for bringing this campaign to our state and I encourage all eligible schools to apply.”

“Our schools provide students with the knowledge, experiences and resources to build healthy and successful futures,” said Maine’s Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “We know that physical activity improves student learning, mental health, and general wellbeing, and we are grateful to the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Centers for providing these additional resources to 3 Maine schools.”

The foundation’s program will make its way into all 50 states in the coming years. Each fitness center is financed through public/private partnerships with companies such as The Coca-Cola Company, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike, and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding. Fitness in Motion provides all the fitness equipment, which is manufactured right here in the United States. The foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.

For more information about the foundation or to download a nomination form, visit natgovfit.org.

.