A core belief of the Links organization is that engaging in regular physical activity has many benefits, including helping to improve a child’s academic performance and overall wellness. In 2014, the Columbia (SC) Chapter of The Links, Inc. “adopted” Burton-Pack Elementary School. As an initiative of the Columbia (SC) Chapter, the members developed an interactive exercise fitness trail on Burton-Pack Elementary School’s campus. In recent years, Burton-Pack has expanded its physical fitness program, improved the number of students being able to pass the physical fitness standards, and implemented programs to provide healthy foods and snacks during the school day. The Columbia (SC) Chapter moved to provide a sustainable way to provide more physical activity for students and families by involving many in the planning and development of the trail.
The more than two-year project included excavation and clearing the path, landscaping, installing fitness equipment, outdoor seating, instructional signage and healthy messaging banners and tree planting.
This endeavor has involved several community partners such as The Belvedere Community Association; AOS Construction; Contract Construction; Brownstone Construction; Orion Construction; Burton Pack Elementary Parent Teachers Organization; Central Carolina Community Foundation; City of Columbia, Office of the Mayor -City of Columbia; City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department; Columbia Green; Tony and Sheila DiCioccio; Sheila B. Jones, MD; Palmetto Pride Richland School District One Facilities Services; and Richland School District One- Maintenance Services.
Linking our Community From Surviving to Thriving. The Columbia (SC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated launched WLINKS Radio in 2020 in response to the unprecedented times facing our nation and community. WLINKS Radio offers a series of unfettered interviews with notable professionals who detail what we need to know and do to identify and access the health, financial, and civic information and resources that can help our community flourish.
The Links Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Links established the Health and Human Services initiative in response to the chronic health disparities that persist in black communities and result in the decreased life expectancy of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.
