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SMS Initiative Honored for Special Commitment

The initiative “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit." of the DZD partner German Diabetes Center received an award from “We for Düsseldorf".

The Düsseldorf-based entrepreneur Josef Klüh, owner of Klüh Service Management GmbH, annually donates 25,000 euros to charitable associations whose social projects are aimed at children, elderly or needy in Düsseldorf. The award ceremony for the associations, which were selected by a three-member jury, took place on March 17, 2017. The jury, composed of Dr. Vera Geisel, wife of Lord Mayor Thomas Geisel, Jonges-Baas Wolfgang Rolshoven and Josef Klüh, presented the donation to a total of seven associations from the state capital. The initiative “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit."“, which is sponsored by the association Düsseldorf Kids with PFIFF and which is scientifically accompanied by the German Diabetes Center, was awarded 4000 euros to carry out the SMS project in additional school classes.

“Here in Düsseldorf many people need support. It is therefore meaningful, here in our city, to provide direct and effective help,” said entrepreneur Josef Klüh, explaining his commitment. “We are very pleased about the generous donation of the initiative `We for Düsseldorf´ and for the opportunity to raise awareness in more primary school children for a healthy diet and the benefits of exercise,” said project leader Professor Karsten Müssig, emphasizing the importance of the award for the SMS initiative.


The initiative  “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit." led by Professor Karsten Müssig at Düsseldorf primary schools seeks to counteract overweight/obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases in childhood and adolescence. The children earn  their “aid” nutrition pilot license in cooperation with the Educational Center for Dietary Assistants of the Kaiserswerther Diakonie and take part in the exercise program for primary schools “Fitness for Kids” developed by sports scientist Professor Kerstin Ketelhut.
In addition, the pupils experience the perception of their own body in the sensory classroom of the Präha Weber School in a motor skills training course. They are also taught relaxation exercises in cooperation with the initiative “Physical Activity during School Recess” of the Dietrich Grönemeyer Foundation and the Deichmann company.  The two health insurance companies IKK classic and KKH, the organization diabetesDE - German Diabetes Aid, the Sports Department of Düsseldorf and other renowned partners and prominent people support the project and provide the participating school children with additional attractive venues for learning outside of school. The patron of the initiative is Thomas Geisel, mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf. In 2015 the SMS initiative was awarded the support logo of IN FORM – Germany’s initiative for a healthy diet and more exercise, and in 2016 was awarded the GUT DRAUF label of the German Center for Health Education (BZgA).

Further information about the initiative is available at: www.sms-mach-mit.de