Lincoln Elementary follows Free2Play worth of shifting to present again

ADRIAN – More than 200 students from Lincoln Elementary School gathered on the Adrian College soccer field Tuesday to celebrate how their movement and exercise led to a great cause.

Lincoln Elementary in Adrian uses an online program called Free2Play during class to get her body moving. Free2Play is a non-profit organization co-founded by Gary Gray and his son Doug Gray and founded in 2001. The Gray Institute, of which Doug is president, is the driving force behind Free2Play. The Gray Institute provides exercise and applied functional science education and information. It encourages people to move and move around. Free2Play is a free program used by schools around the world, including Chicago, San Francisco, and even Thailand. It encourages students to be active and move their bodies so they can help others.

“It’s all about movement, but movement to do something for someone else. So we have a mantra; Our motto is “sweat, inspire”. Use and care for the gifts we have been given. Not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others and by serving others, which is the “inspirational” part, “said Doug Gray.

Lincoln boss Sam Skeels has known and supported Free2Play for a long time. He was a trainer for Hot Rock, a basketball camp started by the Gray Institute.

“The other cool thing is that we’re teaching the kids generosity skills and movement skills. … Free2Play is the only research-based movement skill that we can teach children to improve their knowledge of movement and thus their generosity skills, ”said Skeels. “What became of this this year is our coin-operated drive and the ability to raise a lot of money for some really good causes.”

Lincoln held a coin-operated ride as part of their goal of serving others and giving back, as Free2Play encourages. They raised $ 2,692.67 in just three weeks. This money will be donated for two different purposes: I92 Ministries and Alexander Elementary School.

I92 Ministries is an organization founded by Andy Piatt and his wife that offers weekend meals to students who cannot afford them. I92 packages these meals and delivers them to schools across Lenawee County on Fridays for distribution to students who need them. They currently look after around 700 students.

“You are changing people’s lives and I encourage you to continue to find ways to help other people in need. Thank you very much, ”said Piatt to the students. “What you’ve done makes a huge difference in our community and in people’s lives. Thank you very much.”

Alexander Elementary is in the process of installing an all-inclusive playground for all students so that children with physical limitations or a disability can also play. The donation from the coin-operated machine goes to the playground fund.

“I love to see all of these children, especially in the Adrian community, who support our efforts to develop this all-inclusive program, especially for students, so that everyone can be included,” said Alexander Principal Shanan Henline. “It is very encouraging to see that the children are supporting the effort to help with I92 Ministries and our Playground Fund. It’s really honestly inspiring. “

Kindergarten went through fifth grade students to Docking Stadium at Adrian College, which is about a three-quarters mile walk away. When they arrived, they all lined up on the soccer field. Doug Gray, with his wife Valerie, guided the children in the exercises and movements, and the students participated and followed them. Then Free2Play presented the two donation checks I92 Ministries and Alexander Elementary.

Free2Play is based on the idea that an athlete is only someone who is good at a sport.

“… Also, the children’s desire to give something back – I mean, we already have it deep in our hearts that we want to give – and when children find out that it is easy to give something, not financially … but Your time and talent, they instantly say, “I like this, this is cool,” and that motivates us all, “said Gary Gray.” So we quickly decided that we could redefine athleticism from someone who works hard and from someone who gives something back. “