Pay It Forward: Lead By Example Foundation teaches kids fitness and proper eating

WASHINGTON - A foundation is helping to Pay It Forward to children in the District by teaching them the importance of fitness and healthy nutrition.

The Lead By Example Foundation is a non-profit organization mentoring youth and helping to combat childhood obesity by educating and keeping kids active.

Founders William Craig, Antonio Beard and Jalen Thomas are working to push their program into schools, replacing dentition, suspension or school punishment with physical and health education practices, such as yoga, meditation, and workout programs.

"We wanted a way to get kids a better lifestyle. Studies show this generation will die years earlier because they're not as active. They're not working out, they're not riding their bikes, they're not going to the gym and everything is technological," Craig explained. "We wanted to come together to find a way to give back and teach healthy living and nutrition."

To help the Lead By Example Foundation in its mission, FOX 5 and Easterns Automotive Group teamed up to help Pay It Forward. Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group presented the Lead By Example Foundation with $1,500 to allow the non-profit to take 200 kids to see the Universoul Circus. The group was also presented with $20 gas gift cards to help volunteers get to their programs to help children.

If you know someone who should be featured on Pay It Forward, you can nominate them here. In your email, be sure to include who they are and why they deserve to be recognized.