Athletes Rally for Kids' Health at HyVee Event

Hy-Vee and The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University teamed up late last week to throw its annual Exercising Your Character event, which connects more than 10,000 fourth- and fifth-grade students with role models to help teach them about exercise and healthy living. 

The event has been going strong since 2007 and was hosted at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, Iowa. This year's yeynote speakers included Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs, U.S. women’s hockey team Olympic gold medalist Hannah Brandt, five-time WNBA champion and Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson and 12-year-old motivational speaker “King Nahh.”

Brunson talked about healthy eating and staying positive at the event in the video below: 

The program included 30 minutes of exercise in the form of music and dancing, and Iowa students learned about "health and wellness and the importance of good character while having fun and getting exercise," company officials said. The activities were led by Hy-Vee’s KidsFit Director Daira Driftmier and sports announcer Michael Zimmerman of RipRoar Events, who will emcee the program. 

“The incredible speakers we are hosting this year have achieved some amazing accomplishments,” said Randy Edeker, chairman of the board and president and CEO of Hy-Vee at the time the speakers were announced. “We know these individuals will inspire the more than 10,000 kids attending with their energy and stories of perseverance and determination.” 

Related:Hy-Vee Pharmacies to Provide Resources for Patients, Employees With Substance Abuse Issues