Press Release: Create Healthy Invests in Local Athletics, Children’s Nutrition

August 14, 2023 (Fredericksburg, TX) – Create Healthy, the Fredericksburg-based foundation investing in the health and wellness of the Hill Country, made its first two financial gifts to local organizations.

A $17,000 gift to the Billie Boosters celebrates the Fredericksburg High School student athletes with purchase of custom game-day equipment and will support the athletes and community at the football team’s upcoming game against Wimberley High School September 15. The $20,000 gift to the Needs Council supports its ongoing Food 4 Kids Program providing ready-to-eat, nutritious snacks on weekends for children identified as under-nourished.

“These community donations reflect the broad mission of Create Healthy, which is to invest in the health and wellness of the Hill Country,” said Jayne Pope, RN, CEO, Create Healthy. “Achieving and maintaining health and wellness takes many forms, from physical fitness to having access to sufficient nutritious food. Both the Needs Council and Fredericksburg ISD Athletics have a significant role to play in promoting health and furthering a culture of wellness.”

The donations to the Needs Council and Fredericksburg Independent School District come from a fund dedicated to sponsorships and other time-limited activities and events and are made at the discretion of Create Healthy’s leadership team.

“Create Healthy’s gift will help the Needs Council provide more children in Gillespie County with healthy, nutritious snacks,” said Cindy Heifner, executive director, Needs Council. “We depend on the generosity of individuals and organizations to support our mission, and having Create Healthy make one of its first donations to us is meaningful.”

“Supporting and empowering student athletes is what we do every day, and we are delighted to have Create Healthy as a team and event sponsor,” said Wendy Dietrich, director of athletics, Fredericksburg ISD.

Create Healthy is in the process of developing its overall grant funding strategy, including identifying areas of funding priority. Part of that process involves ongoing conversations with regional nonprofit, faith, government, school, and business leaders to harvest insight and perspective on areas Create Healthy can have the greatest impact and ensure that final funding priorities truly reflect the values and goals of the community.