Executive Director, Shannon Miller Foundation
Mission
To combat the epidemic of childhood obesity through the education and promotion of healthy lifestyle choices for children.
Serving Jacksonville
Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller made Jacksonville her home in 2007. Her passion for children’s fitness and health led her to form the Shannon Miller Foundation to increase awareness of the epidemic of childhood obesity.
Those served
The Shannon Miller Foundation serves children ages 5-14 at public and private schools and child-friendly organizations. We work to increase physical activity for children, build self-esteem and instill a lifelong love of fitness. The foundation serves 7,000 children in the Jacksonville area.
Biggest challenge
With the decrease in funding for physical education and the increase in the incidence of childhood obesity, the greatest challenge is reaching all of the children who could benefit from our program.
Biggest satisfaction
There are so many wonderful things about the work I do that it is hard to choose the most satisfying. I would have to say I love the enthusiasm of the children. They are so amazed to see that even if they do not consider themselves athletes, they still can get out and run and earn awards. Everyone gets to run his or her own race and always comes out a winner.
Hometown
I grew up in the small town of Raceland, La., but after living in the Ortega area for 15 years, I truly consider Jacksonville home.
First experience with community service
My first experience with community service would probably be through my church youth group. I can remember how excited I was to finally make it to the sixth grade so that I could volunteer for Vacation Bible School. In the small town that I grew up in, that was pretty much the only summer activity.
Your job before the Shannon Miller Foundation
I was and still am president of JOC Fitness, a personal training company.
Upcoming events
April 13: Our signature event, the Shannon Miller Lifestyle Women’s 5K and Kids Fun Run. This community event features a free kids’ 1-mile run, a women’s 5K, health fair, bounce house, clowns and much
more. It is held at the Landing.
Contact information
www.shannonmillerfoundation.com