Health & Healthcare

Getting in the Zone

A GSK employee talks about her kids' acting debut in new PSAs
Jul 18, 2012 12:15 AM ET
Kendall and Lucas leave the airconditioning for a bike ride on a hot North Carolina summer day.

Getting in the Zone

By Elaine, GlaxoSmithKline Community Partnerships   For more than six years, GSK has supported NC Prevention Partners Zone Health program.  This program helps schools promote good nutrition and physical activity for students, faculty and staff. If you live in North Carolina like I do, you may have seen public service announcements running on ABC11-TV that encourage families to improve their health by making simple changes--such as snacking on fruit instead of cookies, and playing ball instead of playing video games. These PSAs, sponsored by GSK in partnership with NC Prevention Partners, are running from July through October. And speaking of running, you would have seen my kids running around in the spot!

Kendall and Lucas, my 12 and 10-year olds, were so excited to be part of these spots - especially when they found out that all they had to do was "act naturally". For weeks prior to filming, all they could talk about was being on television and becoming famous!

On the big day, we started filming inside a house.  Kendall's hand was filmed taking fruit from a bowl, and after a few takes, she mastered the art of picking up an orange slowly for the camera.  Lucas showed his expertise playing a Nintendo game in the living room before a baseball glove was placed in his hands. Outside on the grass, Lucas was in his element playing catch. Then, both Kendall and Lucas played basketball for the camera. At the end of the day, both remarked how easy "acting" was.

I was so proud to have my children help promote health through physical activity and healthy eating. Especially since the PSA segments will be shown during the hot summer months when being active is not the first thing on everyone's minds. But building a healthy community is important all year round.

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