Boys & Girls Clubs of America today announced six new grants to local Boys & Girls Clubs in Georgia to improve the health and wellbeing of kids in the state thanks to Amerigroup  Foundation. Boys & Girls Clubs provide kids and teens with critical programming during after-school time that creates a positive environment and supports a healthy, active lifestyle. Boys & Girls Clubs around the state will receive grants to support Triple Play programming, focusing on being healthy through the mind, body and soul.

Amerigroup Foundation will be issuing the following grants to Clubs:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta branches including Georgia Washington Carver Club and Newnan/Coweta Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Central Savannah River Area and Boys & Girls Clubs of Gordon, Murray, and Whitfield Counties will each receive a $5,000 Focus Grant to provide programming focused on teaching the importance of healthy eating habits and being physically active. Each Club will also focus on increasing their fruit and veggie consumption or physical activity as part of the grant.

"Kids and teens today face a number of challenges when it comes to eating healthy and staying physically fit," said Fran Gary, president, Amerigroup Georgia. "We support Triple Play to help local youth build life-long healthy habits with a firm foundation of support.  Our support of Triple Play and Boys & Girls Clubs in Georgia is designed to build great futures for kids by helping them make healthy choices and participate in healthy activities every day."

As Boys & Girls Clubs of America's proven health and wellness program, Triple Play is a game plan for the mind, body and soul. Supported by founding sponsor The Coca-Cola Company and co-sponsor, Foundation, the program's three components encourage Club members to eat healthier (mind), become more physically active (body) and increase their ability to engage in healthy relationships (soul). Since the program's inception in 2005, Triple Play has made over 10 million connections with kids and teens.

"Even after a decade, Triple Play continues to be one of the most utilized programs at Boys & Girls Clubs around the country and it is critical that we continue to elevate this program to help Club members choose a healthy pathway into adulthood," said Jennifer Bateman, national vice president for programs, training and youth development with BGCA.  "We are incredibly grateful for the support and partnership of Amerigroup Foundation, because without their support we would not be able to impact so many kids and teens each year. As we exceed our 10 millionth connection with the program, we hope to continue to provide new and much needed healthy lifestyles programming to kids who need it most, and create a positive foundation for them to grow and thrive."

Amerigroup Foundation is committed to improving health and strengthening Georgia communities. Through its Healthy Generations grant program, Amerigroup Foundation works to identify the issues most in need of attention and then directs its financial support and volunteer efforts toward improving health in those areas.  Promoting youth health and active lifestyles is an ongoing focus of the foundation.

The Triple Play grants announced today are part of a five-year, $10 million commitment from Amerigroup Foundation's parent company foundation to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to promote healthy lifestyles.  This is the fifth consecutive year Amerigroup Foundation has awarded Triple Play grants in Georgia.