Healthy Highlights:

• Get Fit Ephrata
• Dayton Elementary Students: Walking Towards Wellness
• Spring Health Fair

Get Fit Ephrata

Get Fit Ephrata is a lifestyle change program designed to improve the health and fitness of the town of Ephrata in Washington's Grant County. Through exercise and healthy eating, the program encourages residents, people who work in Ephrata and others to take a vested interest in the community's health.

Get Fit Ephrata began on April 15, 2006, as a brainchild of Craig Plummer, a commissioner at Grant County Public Hospital District No. 3. Craig wanted to see his community change in a healthy way, and convinced 211 of his friends in Ephrata to commit to their own health, as well as that of the community, in this grassroots effort. A $5,000 grant from the Washington Health Foundation helped make Craig's dream a reality.

The program seeks to improve the health of participants in three areas: overall fitness, reduction in body fat, and decrease in cholesterol. By working with participants to set realistic physical activity goals and by building up community involvement and support, Get Fit Ephrata encourages fitness for a lifetime.

"Get Fit Ephrata is a collaborative effort between Columbia Basin Hospital, local businesses, a church and the local public utility—and is largely staffed by community volunteers. The commitment to this program promises to make Ephrata a place where healthy choices are the easy choices," said Katharine Sanders, WHF's Director of Grantmaking. "Ephrata is on its way to improving overall health and wellness."

Today, plans are underway to bring more senior citizens into the program, as well as children and teens. In addition to participation by the entire community (6,000 people!), the programs 10-year goals include: health screenings, nutritional education, immunizations, and the promotion of annual comprehensive physical exams with primary care physicians.

Don James, Columbia Basin Hospital Administrator told thrive! that interest in Get Fit Ephrata continues to grow: "A lot of the community is participating in daily walking and exercise." He said local businesses such as South Campus Athletic Club and Curves have become key partners in making Get Fit Ephrata a community-wide project.

If you are in Ephrata this summer, join in the Columbia Basin Hospital walking program every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 5:30 a.m., every other Wednesday morning at 6 a.m. and every Thursday night at 5:15 p.m. The Thursday evening walk is preceded by a nutrition discussion led by Kitty Thomas, Dietary Consultant for Columbia Basin Hospital. Topics include cutting carbs, healthy cooking and much more!

To join the program, or for more information, contact Columbia Basin Hospital at 509-754-4631, Susan Scheib ext. 271 or Rosalinda Kibby ext. 217.

Dayton Elementary Students: Walking Towards Wellness

On Friday, May 11th more than 250 Dayton Elementary students rushed to complete laps around the quarter-mile high school track in the school’s first ever Walkathon. Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) co-chairs Wendy Frame and Diana Frame hustled to give parents, teachers and volunteers instructions and to help with the collection of pledge sheets.

It was fun with a purpose, as the Walkathon raised money from the school’s family and friends, as well as the community at large. Funds will support Dayton Elementary School’s wellness activities and other PTSO work.

As rural schools and communities scramble to fund programs that result in healthy children who are ready to learn, they are looking for alternatives to selling soda pop and candy. Leave it to the Healthiest State champions in Dayton, Washington to combine fundraising, fun and fitness!

In the 2007 Healthiest State mileage challenge, Dayton continues to its reign as the number one community week after week – outpacing the nearest competitors by more than 12,000 miles! Check out the Top 10 Communities score board by clicking here.

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Spring Health Fair

Whole Foods—Roosevelt Square and the Washington Health Foundation teamed up to host a Spring Health Fair at the grocery store on Saturday, April 14. The Health Fair at something for everyone, and shoppers enjoyed the displays sprinkled throughout the store.

REI provided free bicycle safety and maintanence checks, and Cascade Bicylce Club provided a bicycle commute class in preparation for Bike to Work Month in May. Healthy snacking samples and yoga demonstrations were also an indoor hit, as was the Pharanex antioxidant scanner.

Outside the store, Swedish Mobile Mammography truck provided comprehensive breast exams for women, regardless of health insurance.

It was a fun and educational day of health for all — and the delicious, healthy spring cooking demos provided inspiration for a full season of yummy cuisine!

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