MONTEBELLO – As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationship with the community, the Montebello Unified Police Department, along with nonprofit 4 R Kids, 4 R Future, surprised hundreds of Potrero Heights Elementary School students with athletic equipment and a lesson on the importance of physical activity.

MUSD Police Chief Linh Dinh, MUSD police officers and representatives from 4R Kids, 4R Future presented students with basketballs, tetherballs, jump ropes and t-ball equipment during a morning assembly on Oct. 10. In presenting the items, Dinh stressed to children the importance of exercise and its positive impact on health, mental alertness and learning.

“Life is a gift and to live a long life, you need to be healthy,” Dinh told the students. “It’s important that we make sure to exercise every day.”

This is the fourth year that MUSD police has partnered with 4 R Kids, 4 R Future to donate supplies and equipment to District schools. The organization also provides backpacks, school supplies and other sports equipment to students in neighboring school districts.

Anthony Torres, 4 R Kids, 4 R Future representative, explained to students how his upbringing inspired him to help students.

“Exercise is an important part of our daily routines, but the problem for a lot of schools is that there is a shortage of athletic equipment,” Torres said. “I know what it is to not have and to have. You can be anything you want in life as long as you work hard.”

Through the partnership, MUSD is able to provide schools and students with resources that create a better learning environment for students.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

112216_MUSD_SPORTS1: Potrero Heights Elementary School students, MUSD police officers, Police Chief Linh Dinh, 4 R Kids, 4 R Future representative Anthony Torres and Principal Lili Atoyan celebrate the donation of athletic equipment on Oct. 10.

112216_MUSD_SPORTS2: MUSD police offers and 4 R Kids, 4 R Future representative Anthony Torres present students with basketballs, tetherballs and other equipment during a presentation ceremony at Potrero Heights Elementary School on Oct. 10.