Reebok may have pulled its sponsorship to the third annual Miles for Memorial fitness day, but there was no stopping the folks at Rochester Memorial School.

In its third year, the fitness day is hitting its stride, said physical education teacher Kevin Woodward.

The day gets kids outside and moving with activities including a two-mile loop around the school, a dance tent, soccer, and hula hooping.

The children also set personal goals for how many miles they wanted to walk.

Even supported by a crutch due to a zip line accident, Sarah Melloni said she wanted to go four miles.

“I think it’s a great way to get active. It’s really fun,” said the fifth grader.

Fitness day also raises funds for physical education programs at the school, namely building new playgrounds.

“The idea is to use physical activity to support physical activity,” said physical education teacher Kevin Woodward.

Funds from the past two years, along with donations from the Parent Teacher Organization, paid for a playground for younger kids.

With family and friends sponsoring children this year, Woodward wants to see the last $5,000 needed for the second through sixth grade playground.

“Either way, when these students step in here next year, we’ll have that playground done. The build is already scheduled for the beginning of August,” he said.

The physical education budget’s $100 a year doesn't buy more than eight cones or a handful of jerseys, said Woodward. So, the event has also helped raise money for items like soccer goals, jump ropes, and balls.

Organizing fitness day takes more than a little weightlifting. Sponsorship helps provide supplies needed for the day, including water bottles to keep kids hydrated.

This year, however, Woodward said SEMASS and Reebok both declined to sponsor the event. The latter, said Woodward, decided to focus only on underprivileged communities.

“I understand underprivileged communities need support, but physical activity is something that doesn’t play to socioeconomic status or gender. It’s an everybody, all encompassing need,” he said.

Woodward has pushed hard to put physical activity as a priority at the school.

He said, “The statistics are staggering—obesity, Type 2 diabetes among kids this age.”

In lieu of corporate sponsors, Woodward reached out to local companies. Lloyd’s Market in Rochester donated ice for the day, and No Kidding in Mattapoisett gave raffle prizes related to physical activity.

The community has rallied around the event, said Woodward, with 35 parents volunteering. It’s also supporting community within the school.

Younger children are assigned older “buddies” to keep an eye on them and to make sure they’re drinking enough water. Kids are rewarded tickets to enter raffle prizes for every two-mile lap completed, and when they are observed doing something nice for someone else.

Woodward said the day is becoming a tradition at the school, and mom Kim Aguiar agreed.

“It’s been great for the kids. It is great to see them moving like this,” she said.