Get on the ball

• Get on the ball

Kindergarteners Easton Braun and Jessica Koma sit on exercise balls instead of chairs Feb. 5 while they cut out images of white crayons in Mary Jans’ Prairie Elementary classroom.

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — Plenty of people are sure to have a ball Saturday afternoon at Prairie Elementary.

That’s because Prairie Rehabilitation Services of Worthington is presenting “Get On the Ball with Fun Family Fitness,” a free-admission event from 1 to 5 p.m. Parents, children in kindergarten through sixth grade and adult community members are welcome to attend.

The event has been coordinated as a means of raising money for the purchase of additional stability balls at Prairie Elementary.

“We work with some of the students at Prairie Elementary and work with the early childhood program,” explained Kristin Fox, a physical therapist with Prairie Rehabilitation Services. “We were talking with some of the teachers, and we found out they used the balls … and that there was interest from some of the teachers in having more balls, but that budgets didn’t allow for the purchase of the balls for whole classes.”

Kindergartners at Prairie Elementary first began using the stability balls in January.

“We just think it’s a really cool thing for them to be using,” Fox said. “There are so many benefits from a therapy standpoint … and it allows your body to move and interact with your environment. From a school standpoint, you’re able to pay attention better; you don’t get distracted as easily.”

Prairie Rehabilitation Services subsequently began to coordinate a fundraiser to purchase the balls for all Prairie students in kindergarten and first grade, and potentially around four or five balls for some classrooms in the upper grades. Several community businesses and organizations have donated money as well as door prizes for Saturday’s “Get On the Ball” event, during which additional funds will be raised through a raffle.

“Each dollar donation will give a chance at winning a Nintendo Wii,” said Troy Van Orman, a physical therapist and part-owner of Prairie Rehabilitation Services. “Otherwise, it’s a free event that includes more than $2,000 in prizes. The list goes on and on and on and on.

“It just kind of started that we called people that were involved with fitness and that kind of activity,” Van Orman added. “People have been very, very generous.”

Fox noted that the school district, as well as the Prairie Elementary Parent Group, will also be contributing money for purchasing of the stability balls. Adult-sized balls will be available for trial during Saturday’s event, Fox said.

“There will basic Thera-band and physiological exercises that people can incorporate into their day quite easily at home,” Van Orman said. “Plus, The Medicine Shoppe will be providing free blood pressure screenings for adults, and they’ll have fun and interesting nutritional information.

“We just thought we’d do an event to promote fitness and health,” Van Orman continued. “The main thing is, this is an event for kids to come out and have fun and win prizes.”

Van Orman urges people attending Saturday to “dress for fun, dress to sweat and dress to ‘Get On the Ball with Fun Family Fitness,’” and he hopes the event will become an annual one. Among the planned games are Dance Dance Revolution, hockey, volleyball, a rock wall, Wii Fit and soccer.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation for the purchase of stability balls at Prairie Elementary is encouraged to call Prairie Rehabilitation Services at 372-2232.

Tags: stability balls, prairieelementary, worthington, prairierehabilitationservices, kristinfox, district518, troyvanorman