Derek Jeter and Nickelodeon team up to promote healthy lifestyles

By Madison Bennett | MLive

KALAMAZOO, MI - Derek Jeter and his Turn 2 Foundation teamed up with Nickelodeon to bring the network's "Road to Worldwide Day of Play" campaign to Jeter's hometown of Kalamazoo.

The event took place Wednesday evening at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center and was meant to encourage kids to be active.

Participants were able to play a life sized bowling game, play hockey and even had the opportunity to get slimed.

Jeter's foundation is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. Run by his sister, Sharlee, its mission is to create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "Turn 2" healthy lifestyles.

Nickelodeon's "Road to Worldwide Day of Play" is a summer-long celebration that culminates with Nickelodeon's 13th annual "Worldwide Day of Play" on Sept. 17. On "Worldwide Day of Play," the network will suspend programming from noon to 3 p.m. and host grassroots activities with national and local partners across the U.S.

"There's a lot of synergies between what they're (Nickelodeon) trying to do and what we're trying to accomplish with our foundation," Jeter said. "For us, it was a perfect match."

Nickelodeon donated $10,000 to the Kalamazoo Jeter's Leaders, a youth leadership and social change program meant to promote healthy lifestyles.

Two teens from the area and participants of Jeter's Leaders, Darius Ledbetter, 17, and Kendall Green, 17, accepted the check onstage. The pair were then slimed by Jeter and his sister.

"My favorite thing is seeing stuff like this, seeing other kids happy," said Ledbetter. 

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo chose one child from the community to have a meet and greet with Jeter prior to the event. Aniysiah Dunigan was the lucky kid and said she was "jumping up and around" when she found out she was chosen.

Following the donation, Jeter and his family walked around and spent time participating in activities with kids, posing for photos and of course, sliming more people.

"For us to get a chance to give back to the community here, we were all for it," Jeter said. 

This post originally appeared Aug. 31, 2016 on MLive.com.