HEAL Alabama celebrates grand opening in Vestavia Hills

HEAL Alabama opened its world headquarters in Vestavia Hills with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 23. The headquarters is located at 1360 Montgomery Highway, Suite 116. 

Elected local and state leaders, business leaders and various sports stars were in attendance along with 70 education leaders. The ribbon-cutting event included a media tour of the facility, which features a television studio and test kitchen.

Senator Jabo Waggoner and Vestavia Hills Mayor Butch Zaragoza led attendees on a walk to Southminster Presbyterian Church on the sidewalks that border U.S. 31. Zaragoza said the walk was an example of the healthy lifestyle the HEAL organization aims to promote. 

“Now that these sidewalks are provided, there’s no reason not to get out in the afternoon or early morning for your exercise,” said Zaragoza.

HEAL Alabama was formed as a nonprofit in 2007 by founder Christy Swaid with a mission to measurably improve children’s health. The organization provides a free 20-week health curriculum to elementary schools for daily implementation during P.E. As of May 2015, the program is in 88 of Alabama’s 750 elementary schools, with funding provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Alabama Power and the Alabama State Department of Education.

Swaid said HEAL is teaching children not just what to do, but also why they should do it.

“We are teaching children at a very young age to take care of their bodies to prevent diseases, and not just learn how but learn to enjoy the process,” she said. “We have a team of professors, creative geniuses and medical directors who have all influenced this curriculum. The HEAL approach is the most effective rescue mission.”

For more, visit healalabama.org.