Partners & Friends
The Säjai Foundation has so much to be thankful for–and so many people to thank! Please take a moment to learn about these amazing partners.
The Säjai Foundation sincerely thanks Landscape Structures Inc., for its generous in-kind donations to the Foundation. Landscape Structures has supplied many hours of marketing, technical, and printing services for the Foundation. The Foundation and Landscape Structures share a special link – both organizations were founded by Barb King, whose passion to help kids live healthy lives and grow up to be environmental stewards continues in the work done by both the Foundation and by Landscape Structures.
The support of the United Health Foundation has been instrumental in our outreach projects this year, including this updated website, and in our continuing research work. Many, many thanks!
We are so thankful for the support of Dr. Marti Erickson and Erin Erickson of Mom Enough, and for the great work they do for parents and children everywhere.
The Säjai Foundation is delighted to partner with Twin Cities in Motion, especially the Kids in Motion area of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Together, we’re teaching kids about eating right and getting plenty of physical activity.
We’re proud to work with the Minnesota Council of Camp Fire USA, doing great things for kids everywhere!
Our thanks and great appreciation to eQuality, helping developmentally disabled adults learn how to lead healthier lives!
Our hats are off to the Twin Cities Volkssports chapter, for helping with our Amazing Walk! and for creating so many amazing walking opportunities themselves.
A huge thanks to the ongoing financial and moral support we receive from London & Bullard!
The Säjai Foundation thanks the Northwestern Mutual Foundation for its generous contribution to help the children of Milwaukee Public Schools, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, and Dallas Parks and Recreation learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Huge thanks to the fine folks at Style Architects, who were invaluable in helping plan our Amazing Walk!
Many, many thanks to the Minnesota Swarm professional lacrosse team for the donation to our Amazing Walk! (not to mention the fun of watching them play!)
We’re so proud to work with the US Play Coalition, a wonderful organization that understands the value of play in a child’s life (including “children” in their adult years!) and promotes the concept of free play as a requirement for full physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. Take a moment to visit their website and sign up (it’s free!) to be involved with the Coalition.
The General Mills Foundation has demonstrated a strong commitment to leading today’s children towards healthier lifestyles by their financial support of youth-serving agencies that run the Wise Kids programs.
The Säjai Foundation is pleased to partner with the National Recreation and Park Association to advocate the importance of thriving, local park systems, the opportunity for all Americans to lead active, healthy lifestyles, and the preservation of great community places.
he The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature. The Säjai Foundation is an active member of the Minnesota Children & Nature Network chapter.
The Säjai Foundation’s Wise Kids program has been selected for inclusion in the Alliance for a Healthier Generation‘s Healthy Schools Program Resource Database. The curriculum was found to be in alignment with one or more of the Healthy Schools Program Framework Criteria and consistent with American Heart Association standards for scientific validity and accuracy.
The Healthy Schools Program provides real tools and solutions for schools to become healthier places for the 53 million students and staff that learn and work in our nation’s schools everyday. All schools in the United States are eligible to participate in the Healthy Schools Program by taking advantage of free support and tools provided. Any member of the school community can help their school join the Healthy Schools Program by visiting the Alliance website at www.HealthierGeneration.org/schools or by calling 1-888-KID-HLTH.
Our thanks to Peace Coffee for donation of coffee and accessories for our Learn-Live-Lead events!
The Säjai Foundation acknowledges the contribution of the Three Rivers Park District for their role in providing naturalist and outdoor education expertise to the development of the Wise Kids’ Outdoors program. Through the help of Tom Moffat and other key naturalists within their organization, we are able to provide kids with wonderful, accurate nature-based information.
Christine Melko, M.P.H. is a Registered Dietitian who consulted with the Foundation during the development of the Wise Kids programs. She graduated from Viterbo University and earned her Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. She is currently employed at a Twin Cities health care organization where she develops nutrition and health curriculum and educational programs.
Dan Zeman, M.S. is an Exercise Physiologist with over 20 years of experience who consulted with the Foundation during the development of the Wise Kids programs. Dan graduated from the Ferris State College and earned his Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of North Texas. Dan opened the Institute for Health and Fitness, Inc. located in the Minneapolis Sports Medicine Center, where he has worked with professional athletes from the NFL, NBA and the NHL as well as world-class and Olympic athletes, including marathon runners, wheelchair racers, mountain bikers and three-time Tour De France cyclist Greg LeMond.
