Twin Cedars Elementary awarded grant to improve student health

The $500 NFL PLAY 60 grant will fund physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements, and well-being resources.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Twin Cedars Elementary in Bussey, Iowa has been awarded a $500 NFL PLAY 60 grant through the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge program. The grant will be used to fund physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements, and well-being resources to help promote physical movement and overall student health and wellness.

Why it matters

Physical activity is vital to students' physical and emotional well-being, yet most youth are not getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. This grant will help create an environment where students at Twin Cedars Elementary can stay active and feel supported throughout the school day, which is essential to their success.

The details

The NFL PLAY 60 grant program, which is provided by the NFL and administered by the American Heart Association, supports four key areas identified by schools and educators: physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements and inclusive physical education, and well-being resources. Twin Cedars Elementary received a grant in the amount of $500 to fund these initiatives.

  • The grant was awarded on February 9, 2026.

The players

Twin Cedars Elementary

A school located in Bussey, Iowa that was awarded the NFL PLAY 60 grant.

American Heart Association

A non-profit organization that is the relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, and administers the NFL PLAY 60 grant program.

National Football League (NFL)

The professional American football league that provides the $350,000 annual funding pool for the NFL PLAY 60 grant program.

Cameron Nicholson

Board member for the Des Moines American Heart Association and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines.

Megan Mendoza

Senior Manager of Social Responsibility at the NFL.

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What they’re saying

“Creating environments where kids can stay active and feel supported throughout the school day is essential to their success. This grant gives schools in our community meaningful tools to strengthen both physical activity and overall well‑being.”

— Cameron Nicholson, Board member for the Des Moines American Heart Association - CEO management & Regulatory Compliance of YMCA of Greater Des Moines (heart.org)

“For two decades, NFL PLAY 60 has been committed to helping kids lead healthier, more active lives, and this year's expanded grant program reflects that commitment in an even larger way. We're proud to work with the American Heart Association to give schools across the country the tools and resources they need to inspire movement, strengthen well‑being and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.”

— Megan Mendoza, Senior Manager of Social Responsibility, NFL (heart.org)

What’s next

Another group of NFL PLAY 60 grant recipients will be announced in April.

The takeaway

This grant will help Twin Cedars Elementary create an environment where students can stay active and feel supported throughout the school day, which is essential to their physical and emotional well-being and overall success.