Upgrades to a fitness room at Glade Run Lutheran Services in Zelienople are nearing completion, thanks to additional funds received Aug. 24 from a Champions for Healthy Kids award.

The center was given $10,000 as part of the grant, sponsored by General Mills Foundation, the American Dietetic Association and the President's Council on Physical Fitness.

The grant was presented to Glade Run by U.S. Sen. Melissa Hart, R-Bradford Woods, during a ceremony at the campus.

As part of the presentation, the senator included an "official statement of the record" to Congress recognizing Glade Run's efforts in the community.

The Champions program provides grants to community groups that are trying to improve the eating and physical education habits of people age 2 to 20. Glade Run is a nonprofit, community-service organization that provides services to children age 2 through 18 and young adults to the age of 21. Services also are available for families.

The awards were granted to 50 institutions this year, according to a news release issued by General Mills.

A total of 1,300 applications were received for the awards.

"We were told no more than two [applicants] from each state would be awarded the grants," said Cindy Shifflett, Glade Run's director of resource development. "It was pretty competitive."

Applicants had to show that their program had an impact on the 2-20 age group; reflected the concepts recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2000 and the American Dietetic Association, and contained at least one nutrition behavioral objective and at least one physical activity behavioral objective.

Ms. Shifflett said Glade Run applied for the grant to help pay for improvements it had started to make to its physical fitness room at the Zelienople campus.

"It's part of our wellness initiative and trying to increase the overall fitness and wellness of the clients we serve," she said.

The project includes adding equipment such as treadmills, a TV/DVD player for exercise videos, a matted floor for safety, Pilates and yoga equipment and pedometers for all children who use the program, Ms. Shifflett said.

"It will be a fitness room much like you would see in a gym," she said. "We're really excited to be able to offer this to our clients."

Glade Run has received $32,500 from various grants, including the $10,000 it just received from the Champions program.

"The total cost was estimated at around $37,000," she said. "But I think we're probably going to make do with the $32,500 we've got."

Ms. Shifflett said the improvements started three weeks ago and are expected to be finished within a month.