About Us

It was then that Kathleen’s desire and new-found evidence took form as she became an outspoken proponent of physical activity for children. Her idea, to bring “Fit Kidz Get Up & Go,” now BOKS, to her children’s school, was born.

Since that first morning, a lot has happened. Not only are moms involved as trainers and volunteers, but so are dads, Physical Education teachers, educators and other interested parties who are all helping to run the program. Kathleen states unequivocally that the reason for the program’s success is a perfect combination of passion from parents, educators and school staff that have the motivation to make a difference in children’s lives.

Kathleen and her “Mom team,” Cheri Levitz and Jen Lawrence, created a nonprofit corporation and initially approached Reebok International Ltd. for a t-shirt sponsorship. They had no idea how closely aligned Reebok’s goals were with their own. From that conversation grew a collective mission to provide opportunities and access for all children, regardless of economic status, to have healthy bodies and minds, which also helps them find success in the classroom.

*Ratey, J. J., & Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. New York: Little, Brown. Castrechin, E. S., & London, R. A. (2011). “A Longitudinal Examination of the Link Between Youth Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement.” Journal of School Health, 81(7), 400-8. Davis, C. L., Tomporowski, P. D., McDowell, J. E., Austin, B. P., Miller, P. H., Yanasak, N. E., . . . Allison, J. D. (2011). “Exercise Improves Executive Function and Achievement and Alters Brain Activation in Overweight Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Health Psychology, 30(1), 91-98.