Valley Has “Healthy” Business Sector

In this recession, many businesses are focused on their own financial wellness, but a number of en­terprises in the Touchet Val­ley have opted to turn their focus onto the well-being of their employees. In September, Dayton General Hospital in coopera­tion with Columbia Cares, a coalition of community lead­ers organized in March 2009 to plan, assess and imple­ment healthy environments for families and youth in the Touchet Valley, received a $9,600 grant from the Wash­ington Health Foundation to promote health in Touchet Valley communities called "Action to CHANGE." The "Action to CHANGE" challenge is a 12-week health promotion campaign tar­geting organizations and businesses of Waitsburg and Dayton. The program is de­signed to help employees to eat healthy, exercise, reduce stress and lose weight by participating in scheduled activities. "I think it's a great, great, great thing," said Patti Jo Cooper, a dance instruc­tor who lives in Dayton. Cooper is the pilates teacher for the weekly "Action to CHANGE" pilates class. "People tend to be intimi­dated to just walk into a gym or dance studio on their own. Putting together groups like this made up of peers helps people succeed. "And it works out great for businesses, too," she said. "Because when you exer­cise

you feel good, so these people are feeling better and probably performing better, too."

In the program, participat­ing employees form teams of three and earn points for the activities they participate in, including everything from pilates classes, tap classes, weighing in, keeping a food journal and more.

The top individual person and the top two teams who earn the most points will be awarded gift cards for their efforts ($500 to the first indi­vidual

winner, $150 for each person on the winning team, and $100 for each person on the second place team).

The program is part of a state-wide effort to im­prove health in commu­nities through the Wash­ington Health Foundation. Jody Martin, with Columbia Cares, handed out over 200 pedometers for participating folks to start counting up their steps.

Currently the Touchet Val­ley is number one in the state with 75,648 steps logged this year. Lynn Mantz-Powers, a receptionist at the Waitsburg Clinic, said this is the third time in fiveyears the com­munity has logged a record number of steps. "They're excited about wellness," Martin said. "They're just embracing it. When you have the cama­raderie within the organiza­tions and the business, it helps. It becomes fun."

The Touchet Valley com­munities are also among the top 10 healthiest communi­ties

in the Governor's Health Bowl, meaning participants here are working hard to rack up those points. Businesses in the program include: Puget Sound En­ergy, Windermere, Waitsburg School District, Toby Bai­ley, Dayton School District, Hutchens Family Farms, Elk Drug, Federal Building, Day­ton Wellness Center, Dayton Depot, Dr. Norm Passmore Dentist, Columbia County Transportation, City of Day­ton, Blue Mountain Counsel­ing, Columbia County Court­house, and the Columbia County Health System.

"We thought it would be a good motivator to help us get into shape," said Anita Hutchens with the Hutchens Family Farm. Hutchens is participating in the program with her husband Bob, their son and daughter-in-law. "We feel better, and we're having a good time."

Andee Thurston, the health facilitator for the program with Elk Drug, in Dayton, is excited about the program. "Participation has been great," she said. "I was actu­ally surprised. All but a few employees are weighing in every week, a lot have chosen to keep the food diary, and we all wear our pedometers all week." "I think the program is a great opportunity for some friendly competition and yet provides a way for individu­als to make healthy lifestyle choices. It's just awesome." Businesses can still get involved. To find out more, contact Jody Martin at the Dayton General Hospital, 509-382-2531.