Jennie Garth Trades Acting for Walking to School
For most people, October is spent welcoming cooler weather, carving pumpkins or planning Halloween costumes, but for actress Jennie Garth, it's about a lot more than just fall fun.
As the nation fights against childhood obesity, the mother of three has joined forces with Green Works Naturally Derived Cleaners as the spokesperson for International Walk to School Month.
Garth walked a group of students in New York City to school on Tuesday morning in hopes of encouraging a healthier lifestyle among children. During the month of October, elementary and middle school students and their families can help their schools win one of five $5,000 grants – simply by walking or bicycling to school.
"This kind of work is more fulfilling thing to me in so many ways than sitting on a set waiting for the lighting crew to be ready," she says of working with Green Works.
Jennie Garth chatted with
PopEater about why walking to school is so important and why acting doesn't hold a candle to motherhood!
Read the interview behind the jump.
Walking to school seems like such a simple act. Why is it so important to you?
Well, it's important to get your kids outside. I think it's a good way to start their day, so they go in bright-eyed and bushy-tailed from their fresh air. And you know, you're teaching them about helping the environment by not using a car, and it's good family bonding time.
You walked with students from PS 89 in New York City to school on Tuesday morning.
Did the students from PS 89 recognize you as a celebrity?
No, they were kind of young. I think their moms were a little more excited. Those are my peeps. The kids are a little young for either for 'What I Like About You' and CW, but they were just excited to get their pictures taken, carrying signs. They had a great time.
Your husband, Peter Facinelli, grew up in New York City. How was that different from your experience growing up in Illinois?
Yes, he's from Queens. Our lives could not be more different, we just grew on complete polar opposites. City, country. I loved going to the city and having that environment where I used to love walking a mile to get to the school bus.
There's been a lot in the media this past month about kids being bullied at schools across the country. Do you have any advice for kids who are bullied?
It's scary to speak up, but that's all you really can do, which is to talk to a grown-up that you trust and take action, you know, and don't let yourself be a victim in this situation or any situation. The only person that's going to protect you is you.
I read that October 4th marked the 20th anniversary of the first airing of the original '90210.' Did you ever think going into the role of Kelly Taylor in 1990 would lead you into a life of philanthropy?
What I do now -- I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love what I do. If I were offered the next big movie, I wouldn't do it. I love being home with my kids and doing little things here and there and having my own life rather than a life on a movie set.
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Stars Give Back
Hilary Duff mans the phones during the 6th Annual BGC Charity Day at BGC Partners in New York City.
Bobby Bank, WireImage
Bobby Bank, WireImage
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I love how these actors pretend they walked away from their careers to raise their kids; when the reality is their career was over anyway.
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