Tampa Bay Bucs Star Noah Spence and UnitedHealthcare bring Blessings in a Backpack to West Tampa Elementary

Story by By Emma Forrester via patch.com.

Tampa Bay Buccaneer Noah Spence, UnitedHealthcare employees, public officials and community leaders gathered today to officially open and dedicate the new outdoor track at West Tampa Elementary. UnitedHealthcare also partnered with Spence and the Dreambuilders Foundation to provide more than 100 students with Blessings in a Backpack, a program that supplies bags of nutritious food to qualifying students every Friday after school.

Nearly 400 students joined in the afternoon celebration and physical activity led by Louis Murphy, principal of West Tampa Elementary. Spence, joined by Tampa Bay Buccaneer teammate DaVonte Lambert, visited with the students to talk about the importance of exercising and healthy eating habits.

“Our students really enjoyed the day,” Murphy said. “We are so thankful for the resources that UnitedHealthcare has provided us. Both the track and the Blessings in a Backpack program will help ensure our students grow to their full potential in and out of school.”

“It’s important to reach kids at a young age to help them develop the right attitude toward health and fitness. Being able to aid students in receiving proper nutrition is a joy for my team and myself,” said Spence.

Following the remarks, students participated in the “first lap” and cutting of the ribbon at the track’s starting line.

“UnitedHealthcare is honored to partner with Noah Spence, the Dreambuilders Foundation and West Tampa Elementary,” said Gregory Reidy, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Florida Markets. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help these students learn about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.”

The project is the latest in UnitedHealthcare’s “Do Good. Live Well.” This employee-volunteer initiative, whose mission is to prevent hunger and obesity, inspires service and encourages volunteerism. For more information about the benefits of volunteering and to find local opportunities to get involved, visit www.DoGoodLiveWell.org.