Healthy Nevada announces prize for community challenge

A group of excited Heartland employees wear their "I'm a Healthy Heartland Employee" t-shirt earned at the Oct. 1 health fair after committing to the 60 day-6,000 mile Heartland Challenge. Submitted photo.

Nevada Daily Mail

As Healthy Nevada's community challenge to sign up 1,000 Vernon County residents in the Governor's 100 Missouri Miles Challenge nears the half-way mark, the organization announced it will donate Pulse Tempo playground equipment to Walton Park should the county accomplish the challenge by Nov. 15.

Pulse Tempo, a multisensory, interactive playground equipment, plays music and flashes lights on a 20 foot by 5 foot painted slab of concrete.

Alyson Harder, chief executive officer of Heartland Behavioral Health Services, stands next to the progress chart 10 days after the start of the 60 day-6,000 mile Heartland Challenge. Submitted photo.

"I can see children, families, teens, adults and toddlers all enjoying this equipment," Parks and Recreation Director Dana Redburn said. "None of the places around here have one of these."

Redburn said to facilitate the challenge the community center will help residents sign up and record their miles.

"We take the work out of keeping track of miles," she said.

Katie Bones, senior program coordinator for Healthy Nevada, said the group's second challenge is just for individuals.

"For this challenge, we want people to exercise as much as possible," Bones said. "We have four milestones for rewarding prizes."

For 350 miles, participants are eligible for one of 10 $50 gift cards to Verco Sporting Goods or Nature's Station. For 500 miles, participants are eligible for one of three iPod Nanos. For 750 miles, participants are eligible for one of two iPad2s. For 1,000 miles, participants are eligible for a weekend getaway to Big Cedar Resort in Branson.

"Any activity can be converted into miles," she said. "Anyone and everyone can participate. It's a great opportunity for Vernon County. Other organizations can tie into our challenge with their own challenges."

Heartland tied in with Healthy Nevada with its 60 Days-6,000 Miles challenge for employees.

"Any way we can enhance and improve employees physical health, we assist overall mental health," Heartland CEO Alyson Harder said. "I'm impressed with our employees. I'm excited to see nearly 100 employees watching their pedometers and living healthy."

With more than 2,000 miles logged, Betsy Curtis, Heartland director of marketing/community relations, said employees have really pushed to go the extra mile.

"All the participants received a T-shirt for committing to the challenge," Curtis said. "It's also really made them realize how much they walk on their own during work."