As a result of continued funding from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, Delta State University’s College of Education will team with the City of Cleveland and local schools for a year-long walking campaign, Walk it Out Cleveland.
Leigh Pickard, RD, Coordinator for the Healthy Campus/Community Initiative, along with Mayor Billy Nowell and other civic leaders announced that a kick-off walk for the Walk it Out Cleveland campaign will be held from 10 a.m.- noon on Saturday, Feb. 5, at Delta State’ s newly enhanced fitness trail on Maple Street. Registration for the free event will begin at 9 a.m., with exciting giveaways for entrants.
“ I encourage all citizens of Cleveland to get out and participate in the walking events throughout the year,” said Nowell. “ Let’s make Cleveland the healthiest town in Mississippi.”
A walking competition is planned for Cleveland schools. The school with the most participants will win $500 toward new health/fitness equipment. The second and third place schools will each win $250. A host of activities are on tap including the jumbo bounce, face painting, and lots of games. Music will be provided by the Delta Music Institute. Health screenings will be available, including blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, supplemented by valuable educational materials.
The event is the beginning of a year-long endeavor to create a healthier Cleveland. Accomplishments from last year’s Healthy Campus/Community Initiative include the provision of a comprehensive Delta State Health and Wellness Center, which provided nutritional counseling, outdoor recreation, exercise science, health screenings, fitness classes, and individual fitness plans. Another provision of the initiative was the completion of a lighted fitness trail on the Delta State campus, available to the entire Cleveland community.
For this year’s walking initiative, monthly walks are planned for the first Saturday of every month, many in conjunction with other Cleveland events. Locations will vary to highlight the variety of wonderful walking facilities available throughout the community. Events, with times and locations, will be posted on a web page currently under construction, which will also link to Mississippi’s very successful Let’s Go Walkin’ website. So, Cleveland, get your shoes ready to take steps toward a healthier life, and healthier community, and let’s Walk it Out Cleveland!
