Photo courtesy Prince George Cougars

Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George Cougars have teamed up with the Prince George School District to help inspire kids to study hard and live healthier lifestyles.

The Cougars launched their “Read to Succeed” program Monday afternoon at Southridge Elementary School.

“This is a massive program, we’re including virtually the entire elementary school population as well as some of the private schools,” says vice-president of business Andy Beesley.

“And it’s a way for the Cougars to really, significantly, work with the school district to give back to the kids.”

He says the program will involve players going in and addressing entire school assemblies about the importance of reading, physical activity and keeping healthy.

Beesley says the players will challenge the students to read an extra 15 minutes a day and to be physically active an extra 30 minutes a day over a two week period.

“And at the end of the two weeks we’re going to go back in and meet with the whole school again and see how they did and give them some nice rewards and turn this into a big celebration.”

He says the Cougars players are excited to participate. “They think it’s a great way for them to give back, not just in a quick player appearance kind of way but to actually interact with these kids and to speak from their own hearts.”