Two area Michigan schools get grants to get kids fit

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Kids at a couple of south Michigan schools will get this year thanks to a special grant.

Both Countryside Academy in Benton Harbor and Lawrence Elementary are getting a healthy school transformation. It is part of a grant from Blue Cross Blus Shield of Michigan.

The grant will pay for new gym equipment, health snacks and an afterschool program.

Countrysides third and fifth graders will start the program next week.

"It is to get the kids active and get them afterschool instead of playing a videogame and to each them games to play outside of school as well," Sarah Brookshire, principal at Countryside Academy said.

Nearly $600,000 in grants were awarded to 20 schools across the state. The grants are worth about $30,000.