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What is Healthy Wellesley?
Healthy Wellesley is a wellness initiative. Its mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle, identify the bounty of health and fitness resources in Wellesley, and present programming to positively affect the health of residents across the age spectrum.
The towns of Needham and Wellesley received a mini-grant award for three years (2007-2010) from the West Suburban Community Health Network (CHNA 18), to enhance the efforts of the Eat Well/Be Fit Committee in Needham, and examine whether replication of this model in Wellesley could help the Health Department forge new partnerships with town departments (i.e. the schools, youth commission, recreation, council on aging, natural resources commission/trails committee, and animal control); Newton-Wellesley Hospital, as well as businesses and organizations grappling with childhood, adult and senior obesity and healthy lifestyle issues. Out of this exploration, the Healthy Wellesley Initiative was borne. Many successful events, classes, campaigns, workshops and seminars were introduced, several of which have been repeated. The Healthy
Wellesley Initiative continued after conclusion of the grant. Healthy Wellesley is now a known entity in the community, and its programs are highly regarded and anticipated.
Healthy Wellesley events, classes, workshops have included:
- Strive for Five (community-wide fruit and vegetable of the month initiative)
- Healthy Wellesley Resource Guide
- Healthy Cooking for One or Two (cooking classes)
- Tots and Tails on Trails Walk
- Organic Land Care Display
- Speakers (including Gary Marino of the Million Calorie March)
- Finding Time for Fitness, Food and Fun...for Busy Parents on the Run (workshop)
- Staying Sane - Maintaining a Healthy Brain (workshop)
- Yoga for Planes, Trains, Automobiles...and Oh Yes - Office Chairs (workshop)
- Mindful Movement for Balance, Posture and Fall Prevention (workshop)
- Dog Contest - Fun and Health for Pets and Their "People"
HEALTHY WELLESLEY NEWS:
May 22, 2012
Healthy Wellesley Activities Enjoyed By the Young and Young at Heart
Residents flocked to Healthy Wellesley events in May
Healthy Wellesley is a wellness initiative. Its mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle, and present programming to positively affect the health and wellness of residents across the age spectrum. In May, residents attended Healthy Wellesley events: Staying Sane - Maintaining a Healthy Brain, and the very popular Dog Contest - Fun and Health for Pets and Their ‘People’.
I am grateful to our colleagues from the Health Department, Wellesley Free Library, Council on Aging, Animal Control Officer, Natural Resources Commission, and the Recreation Department, for helping promote and host Healthy Wellesley events. I would also like to thank our wonderful presenter Leslie Worris for the healthy brain workshop, and Wellesley Animal Control Officer and Stray Pets in Need (SPIN) Director Sue Webb for leading the dog contest, and acknowledge and thank Whole Foods, Roche Bros and Unleashed by Petco for their very generous donations of food, gift cards and giveaway items. Finally, I would like to give special thanks to the amazing volunteers from the Wellesley Medical Reserve Corps, Service League and SPIN, who helped us at our events.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with community partners, and offering new Healthy Wellesley activities. To find out what we are doing next, visit: www.wellesleyma.gov/health and click on the Healthy Wellesley link.
Sincerely,
Cheryl
Cheryl Lefman
Healthy Wellesley Coordinator
Wellesley Health Department
Staying Sane...Maintaining a Healthy Brain was presented on May 17, 2012. Presenter Leslie Worris provided excellent information and resources on how to keep your brain healthy at any age. She focused on the importance of staying hydrated and eating a balanced, nutritious diet. Leslie promised to provide a list of helpful websites, and you can find it here.
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