The Strider program’s focus on health and wellness goes beyond just athletic training. The successes that the program has realized over the years in fighting childhood obesity, hypertension, lack of supportive nutrition, and type 2 diabetes through the development of affordable healthy lifestyles is a model for the community and deserving of support. Pre- and post- participation monitoring of blood pressure, weight, BMI have demonstrated in many cases, dramatic changes using regular athletic training and conditioning. The requirement to maintain an “A-B” average in school has led to significant academic productivity for the children who stay with the program which is now year round. The “spin-off” of the program has been to overall FAMILY health because of the Strider focus on nutrition and healthy lifestyles in support of the children’s athletic involvement.