Louie's Kids

Growing up is hard under any circumstances, but for the 25 million American kids classified as obese it’s even more challenging. In fact, one third of America’s children are considered either obese or overweight which robs them of basic joys in life and leads to the even greater problems of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Even worse, this is the first generation expected to have a shorter life expectancy that their parents.

Something must change.

Education is helpful and important, but for kids who are already afflicted treatment is vital. That’s where Louie’s Kids comes in. Let’s meet a few of the kids.

To look at Deon Seabrook today, you would never know he was 40 pounds overweight as a teen and worried that the weight was threatening his health and hopes and dreams. Through Louie’s Kids, Deon was able to lose 40 pounds in 6 months which he has kept off. This super confidence booster has changed his entire lifestyle to one of “Can Do.” Deon is a young man with big plans and a determination to make them happen. He sings in his church choir, recently attended his Senior Prom, and is preparing for high school graduation. He will be attending Allen University in SC next fall. Deon says, “I'm now very
dedicated and will continue to be.”


Dequan and Trequan are 7th graders who first became involved with Louie’s Kids through their school’s Fit Club. Completing the program and losing weight motivated the boys to set another ambitious goal – making their school’s football team. Knowing that would take even more work and dedication, they joined Louie’s Kids Run Buddies. Both boys lost more weight, got even more healthy, and both made the team! They credit Louie’s Kids with helping them set and achieve goals and with providing the education and treatment to make it happen.

For kids like Deon, Dequan, and Trequan, Louie’s Kids is far more than just a fitness program. Their entire lives have been changed for the better.

Louie’s Kids is the brain child of Louis Yuhasz. Founded in 2001 in Alexandria, VA to honor of his father, the organization now serves economically disadvantaged kids nationwide through its Fit Club and Run Buddies programs.

At the time of his death, Louis’ father, known as Big Louie, weighed 550 pounds. The stroke that took his life probably could have been prevented if there had been a CAT scan machine large enough for him to fit in and detect what was happening. Louis grew up dealing with the humiliation of having people point and laugh at his father, yet he knew Big Louie as a hugely kind and compassionate man. “They didn't know our Dad and his tremendous heart; they only saw his tremendous size. Our Dad made us better human beings because of his compassion and fearlessness, and he never missed an opportunity to stand up for himself.” Louis knew it was the size of his heart, not the size of his body, that deserved to be seen. Yet he had also seen first-hand the many ways obesity could damage a life. Inspired by an Oprah episode, Louis began by sending just a couple of underprivileged kids to weight-loss camp and from that spark the Fit Club and Run Buddies programs have been born and helped many more kids.


For Louis, it’s personal. “To see the smiles on kids’ faces as they complete a climb up a rock wall, repel from one mountain to the next, hike 4.5 miles, participate in a sport (as opposed to warming the bench), or find a lifelong friend as so many of them have, is like no other experience I've known. I was able to feel the presence of my father and be with him there, which was an added blessing.”


Helping a child break free from a life of obesity and all the problems that brings not only changes the life of that child, it improves our entire community. We regain the potential that might have been lost. We positively impact medical costs. And we bring a little more joy into the world. On behalf of Louie’s Kids and all the kids they have served and will serve, thank you. Your contribution will make a difference.