Whiteside County supports a Wellness Program for its employees. It began just two weeks ago, in early July 2013, but already has 68 employees from the Morrison, and Sterling, IL, offices.
Participant Sandy Prescott, right, explained. “The County has made part of the program–walking at lunch–flexible, so lunch times can be switched…to allow employees to be able to eat and then walk together. Also, Emmanuel Reformed Church, 202 E. Morris Street, Morrison, has been kind enough to let us walk in their gym when weather does not permit us to be outside, due to rain, or heat, or that dreaded snowfall this winter.”
“Our beginning focus is just to help people to be aware to move throughout the day. Many of us sit at our desks for long periods of time, and we all know this is not healthy. The County got us all pedometers, to help us be aware of how much or how little we may actually be moving around, and hopefully trigger the thought to get up and walk a bit. Our Wellness Committee is exploring other ideas and aspects to enhance and expand the program.”
“Lynn [Dykstra, left,] and I have found the pocket park to be a wonderful spot for lunch. We wave to a lot of people and they wave or honk back. Then off we go! We are getting faster and covering more ground every day,” reported Prescott during lunch on Thursday, July 25.