Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota receives $10,000 grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota to provide Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids program in St. Cloud Area
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota recently received a $10,000 grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota to provide the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids program at the Roosevelt, Southside and Eastside Clubs from March 1, 2022 – February 28, 2023.
With this funding, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota will provide a comprehensive nutrition program called Project Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids, designed to bring excellent dental hygiene and life habits to our community’s youth. The program has five primary components:
- Cavity Free Zone – to teach kids the importance of healthy dental hygiene habits
- Daily Meal Program – to teach kids the importance of proper nutrition and its connection to healthy dental hygiene
- Health & Life Skills programs – to prevent the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and poor dietary choices, which also affect oral health
- Parental communication – to encourage parents to reinforce healthy habits at home
- Incentives – to recognize kids for their participation and application of learned healthy habits
“Untreated cavities are one of the leading reasons that children miss school,” said Aimee Minnerath, Boys & Girls Club’s Senior Director of Communications. “Delta Dental of Minnesota’s support enables Boys & Girls Club staff to provide engaging programs and activities that empower youth to take better care of their teeth and lead healthier lifestyles, preventing cavities and keeping our kids in school.”
“A healthy smile is a good indicator of overall health, and that’s why it’s so important to build solid oral health habits with kids,” said Joe Lally, Vice President, Government & Community Relations of Delta Dental of Minnesota. “Delta Dental of Minnesota is happy to provide our 18th year of support to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota and recognize its commitment to teaching kids important oral health lessons.”
Delta Dental of Minnesota’s philanthropic giving focuses on choosing grant recipients that show innovative strategies to expand oral health access for Minnesota’s underserved populations; demonstrate significant opportunity to promote and expand preventive and education services; and show an ability to measure results.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota hosted a Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids event at each of the Boys & Girls Clubs to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month in February. Youth participated in fun, hands-on activities to learn more about how to keep their teeth and bodies healthy.
For more information about Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids Day, please contact the Boys & Girls Club at 320-252-7616.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota
Since 1974, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota has provided hope and opportunity to tens of thousands of young people. Our programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.
About Delta Dental of Minnesota:
Delta Dental of Minnesota is an independent, nonprofit health services company that serves the oral health needs of Minnesota and North Dakota residents. Since 1969, Delta Dental of Minnesota has accomplished this mission by providing the best access across the state to oral health care through affordable dental plans. Delta Dental of Minnesota is an authorized licensee of the Delta Dental Plans Association of Oak Brook, Illinois. To learn more, visit deltadentalmn.org.