The Office of Community Engagement (OCEH) of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at the University of Minnesota recently awarded a Rural Community Capacity Enhancement Grant in the amount of $38,000 to the Lac qui Parle Health Network.
The Community Wellness Program that was awarded the grant dollars was based on an idea that was first developed in 2011 through Johnson Memorial Health Services in Dawson. This project would expand the Dawson challenge to the Madison and Appleton communities and include workshops and screening events at various locations in all three communities designed to reach the at risk population where they live.
Live Well. Be Well. is your opportunity to take advantage of health & fitness knowledge & resources during a regional call to action. We all know what we should be doing to stay active and health and why it’s important, but sometimes it’s nice to have that extra motivation to get on & stay on track. Live Well. Be Well., is that motivation and now you don’t have to do it alone!
This team-based initiative is aimed at improving the wellness of the Madison, Appleton and Dawson communities through an abundance of unique activities. By creating a supportive environment among teams, we will encourage participants to improve their overall health as well as increase camaraderie in our communities. This is not about weight loss, however if your goal is to lose weight – great! Many people are at their goal weight and still practice very unhealthy habits…and that’s where we’d like to see improvement. This challenge is for everyone, no matter your fitness profile.
Each team consists of four team members on it. Participants of the challenge will be accumulating points by choosing from a variety of options including: volunteering, planting a garden, giving blood and doing 90-150 minutes of weekly activities. In addition participants will have an opportunity each week to gain bonus points by completing the weekly challenge. Competitors must fill out a weekly tracking sheet detailing points earned.
The challenge will run from April 1 through June 28, 2013. Live Well. Be Well. provides a framework and support for individuals to evaluate their health needs, create goals to carry through the challenge and beyond, and a structure to build a healthier and more active community. The top three teams in each community will receive a cash prize; in fact first prize is $500! The top three individuals in the entire challenge will also receive a prize. Start getting your teams together now!
Live Well. Be Well. is brought to you by the Lac qui Parle Health Network, which consists of Madison Lutheran Home, Johnson Memorial Health Services and Appleton Area Health Services. The challenge is being sponsored by Healthland, The Dawson Co-op Credit Union, Minnwest Bank, Kelin Bank, Madison Bottling Company, United Prairie Bank and KLQP Radio . For more information or to sign up your team, please contact Janae Olson at jolson@appletonareahealth.org , Fawna Berger fberger@appletonareahealth.org or simply give us a call at 320.289.1580.