Put on walking shoes for healthy initiative

All Putnam County citizens are invited to participate in "Walking for Wellness," a new walking program that is part of a county and statewide initiative to help local citizens become more aware of their habits and to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

Being active can prevent and help treat many of the most common chronic medical conditions. Experts say it can help reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, heart disease, depression, colon cancer, and other life-shortening conditions.

Increasing the number and the pace at which a person take steps each day can help them improve their health.

The "Walking for Wellness" program is being promoted through a partnership of People Pathways, Putnam County Health Coalition, Purdue Extension, Putnam County Health Department, Putnam County Hospital, Putnam County/Greencastle Development Center, and the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department.

The goal of the eight to 12 week "Walking for Wellness" Program is to encourage participants to set personal goals to increase how many steps they take each day. Participants will receive a folder of information about the program, map with suggested places to walk, a "Walking for Wellness" T-shirt, a pedometer (for a nominal charge), and encouragement to choose a healthy lifestyle.

People may choose to walk individually, with a buddy, or as part of a team. A chart to record each day's steps will also be included.

To track the community's progress, participants are asked to report weekly the number of steps taken. One goal of the "Walking to Wellness" program is to tally the total number of steps taken by Putnam County citizens.

The first tally will be taken after Oct. 28 to coordinate with the statewide "Walk Across Indiana" event. The final tally will be taken Dec. 31 to see how far around the world, in total miles, Putnam County citizens have accumulated in the Walk for Wellness program.

The kickoff date and registration for the walking program will be conducted from 8-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27. Following is a list of locations and contact persons for each area:

* Bainbridge Community Center, contact Jamie Tennis or Marsha Burns.

* Central Elementary School, Rita Bain.

* Cloverdale Town Hall, Patti Truax or Judy Parker.

* DePauw Union Building, Katie Birge or Danielle Strohmeyer.

* Fillmore Elementary School, Debi Hutcheson.

* Greencastle/Fillmore Trailhead (across from Wal-Mart), Joy Marley.

* Putnam County Hospital, Annette Handy.

* Purdue Extension Office, Jackie Baumann.

* Reelsville Elementary School, Jim Burdge.

* Roachdale Elementary School, Kerry Ferguson.

* Russellville Community Center, Darrell Wiatt.

For more information or to pre-register, contact any of the above people or call Jackie Baumann, Extension Educator, at 653-8411; Beth Glaze, Putnam County Health Department, at 653-5210; or Joy Marley, with People Pathways, at 653-6178.

The "Walking for Wellness" effort welcomes all county citizens at any fitness level to walk together to promote good health.