Former first lady Marsha Folsom will deliver a presentation on a highly successful Alabama children’s health program to the spouses of the Nation’s Lieutenant Governors this week in Baltimore, MD. Mrs. Folsom will be discussing Alabama’s HEAL program, which was created to promote healthy eating and lifestyle habits among Alabama’s youth, while attending the annual meeting of the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association with her husband, Alabama Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr.
Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to reverse the rising childhood health epidemic of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and early signs of heart disease through a school curriculum as well as a family and community out reach program. The goal of HEAL is to provide children with a forum through which they will become more physically active in a non-competitive environment that encourages movement regardless of current fitness level.
HEAL was an organizational partner of Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr.’s Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge, a national reward based program in which participants earn points by doing everyday activities like waking or housework. Each person who met the points goal received a medal.
Marsha Folsom is a member of the HEAL board of directors and one of the program’s most prolific supporters and spokespersons. She serves as co-chair of the program with First Lady Patsy Riley.