DSS Division of Early Care & Education and the USC Women’s Basketball Team Partner for the 7th Annual Health & Fitness Game

DSS Division of Early Care & Education and the USC Women’s Basketball Team Partner for the 7th Annual Health & Fitness Game

March 2, 2020 – The South Carolina Department of Social Services Division of Early Care & Education is pleased to announce its partnership with the University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball Team for the Seventh Annual Health & Fitness Game Sunday at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC.

The purpose of the event is to promote healthy food and physical activity for young children and their families. Fans enjoyed information booths and fun activities focusing on healthy food and nutrition.

The South Carolina Women’s Basketball Coach, Dawn Staley, who guided the Gamecocks to the 2017 National Championship said, “Physical activity and healthy eating are a vital part of our children’s success and health in life. I hope that by bringing children and their families to this annual event that celebrates physical activity, making healthy choices and teamwork, we encourage children to play more, eat smarter and enjoy being physically active.”

Like previous years, this year DSS gave a limited number of game tickets free of charge to children who attend Head Start and their fathers in support of Head Start’s Fatherhood Initiative. “DSS is proud to provide this opportunity for the seventh year in a row,” said Amber Gillum, Deputy Director of Economic Services at DSS. “We appreciate Coach Staley and the Gamecocks for their efforts to raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity, and for helping us create a fun and memorable experience for South Carolina’s young children and their families.”

The Health & Fitness games have been successes in the past several years as South Carolinian foster and adoptive families also receive recognition for their outstanding commitment to improving the lives of SC’s children by receiving a game ball at the game.

This year, DSS honored a family in the same way. The Henry’s from SC’s Upstate was recognized as DSS’ Family of the Year for their commitment in providing a permanent family for 4 children.  The agency also uses this event as an opportunity to spotlight the need for foster and adoptive families to address the needs of children throughout the state.