Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.®), long known for its mission to promote health and quality of life through education, announced that it has donated $20,000 to the Children's Alliance to support phase one of the Washington State Childhood Obesity Prevention Campaign. The goal of phase one is to lay the foundation for a multi-year childhood obesity prevention campaign, focused on creating policy change in Washington State to improve the nutrition and physical activity environment for children and youth.

C.H.E.F. joins the Children's Alliance and several other organizations in this statewide initiative, targeted primarily to low-income children and youth, as well as children and youth of color. Other initiative partners include the Seattle Foundation, Public Health Seattle & King County, Washington Dental Service Foundation, Washington Health Foundation, and Washington State Department of Health.

Larry Clark, C.H.E.F. President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We have a long history of supporting efforts to fight childhood obesity and improve child wellness, and we're pleased to contribute to this important initiative in our state. C.H.E.F. has had the good fortune of working with the Children's Alliance for many years, and we've witnessed first-hand the tremendous positive impact they've made in the lives of so many children and youth in Washington."

"As a nonprofit organization committed to improving the health and well-being of those who need it most," said Julie Peterson, C.H.E.F.'s Senior Director of Public Affairs, "we firmly believe in the need for public policy and advocacy to impact change in government at the local, state, and national levels." Peterson noted, "Until now, there has not been a coordinated, sustained public-policy advocacy effort within Washington State to address childhood obesity. Thanks to the efforts of the Children's Alliance and its partner organizations, a plan will be developed to ultimately eliminate this epidemic."

About The Children's Alliance
The Children's Alliance is a statewide public-policy advocacy organization that works at the local, state and federal level to ensure that all children have the things they need to thrive: confidence, stability, health, and safety. Current campaigns focus on health care, anti-hunger and nutrition, foster care, and early learning. The Alliance's membership includes 128 organizations and more than 8,500 individuals statewide. To learn more about the Children's Alliance, go to www.childrensalliance.org.

About Comprehensive Health Education Foundation
Founded in 1974, Seattle-based Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.®) is a nationally known nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote health and quality of life through education. With a focus on helping other health and human service organizations eliminate health inequities across ethnic, racial, and income groups, C.H.E.F. offers a unique blend of philanthropy and advocacy, as well as mentoring and training through its new MissionWise® division. For information about C.H.E.F. and MissionWise, please visit www.chef.org and www.missionwise.org or call 1.800.323.2433.