June 19, 2008

Stepping Stones Museum for Children Announces $100,000 Grant from People's United Community Foundation for Statewide Nutrition Program

NORWALK, CONN. - Stepping Stones Museum for Children is pleased to announce a $100,000 grant from People's United Community Foundation to fund Healthyville nutrition kits that will be distributed, free of charge, to select elementary schools throughout the state of Connecticut and parts of Westchester County, New York. The kits continue the extensive outreach efforts that are part of Stepping Stones' statewide initiative Healthy Children, Healthy Communities, launched in December 2006, to improve wellness and healthy behavior among children and families. People's United Bank was an early supporter of Healthy Children, Healthy Communities, including the museum's anchor exhibit Healthyville.

The Healthyville nutrition kits will address children's health education needs in a comprehensive manner through fun learning activities, games and materials. Among the topics are food groups;energy and exercise;plants as food;portion size;hygiene;healthy snacking;and food allergies. The contents and design of the kits will allow teachers to select the activities and lessons that best suit their curriculum needs and own teaching styles.

"Thanks to this generous grant from People's United Community Foundation, Stepping Stones will be able to take important health messages, aligned with school curriculum, into hundreds of elementary schools in the region," said Rhonda Kiest, executive director of Stepping Stones Museum for Children. "We admire the Foundation for its ongoing leadership in education and community development and are grateful for their continued support and partnership with Stepping Stones."

"We are pleased to support Stepping Stones in its outreach efforts by providing schools and teachers with the tools they need to teach children about the vital importance of a healthy and active lifestyle," said Tim Hodges, executive director, People's United Community Foundation. "Stepping Stones is truly a leader in the state for providing powerful and interactive learning opportunities for children inside and outside its museum walls."

The kits will be provided free of charge to all 278 Title 1 public elementary schools in Connecticut in the 2008-2009 school year and to Title 1 public elementary schools in the four largest districts in Westchester County in the 2009-2010 school year. The Healthyville nutrition kits will align with both Connecticut and New York's nutrition, science and math curriculum standards.

Established in 2007, People's United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People's United Bank serves. With special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods, the funding priorities of the Foundation include: community development, youth development, and affordable housing.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is an award-winning children's museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children. Museum exhibits, educational programs and special events complement efforts in schools, childcare centers and homes. With four main galleries, a toddlers-only gallery and more than 100 hands-on activities, Stepping Stones offers children ten and under plenty to explore and discover. Stepping Stones Museum for Children is a non-profit organization. To learn more, visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org .