AMAZING WALK Kick-Off a HUGE Success!

Written by admin on 07 May 2012

Manitouwadge Family Health Team is joined by Director of Community Services Dan Deschamps at the eifel tower created by Dallaire Welding in front of the Recreation Centre. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

Hundreds of Manitouwadge residents line up for supper at the Amazing Walk Kick-Off BBQ sponsored by Manroc Development. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Sunday, May 6^th, 2012 the Manitouwadge Family Health Team’s AMAZING ~~Race~~ WALK Challenge officially began with their Kick Off BBQ at the Manitouwadge Community Clubhouse.

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Sunday, May 6^th, 2012 the Manitouwadge Family Health Team’s AMAZING WALK Challenge officially began with a Kick-Off BBQ at the Manitouwadge Community Clubhouse.

It is estimated nearly 400 people attended the barbecue, including the 54 registered teams of 6 people each. Team packages were distributed to the captains while volunteers, including uniformed members of the Manitouwadge detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, cooked at the barbecues, served food, sold tickets for those people in attendance who were not members of a registered team (the barbecue was free for Amazing Walk participants), provided face painting (make-up artist Vickie Russard volunteered her time), sold popcorn and candy floss and more.

Manitouwadge General Hospital Board Chair Bob Kirkpatrick addressed those in attendance to thank the Family Health Team for their hard work organizing the event and to wish participants “Good Luck and Good Health” as they participate in the walking challenge intended to encourage healthy fitness habits, use of community services and participation in community events.

MGH Board Chair Bob Kirkpatrick welcomes those in attendance and gives a brief overview of the 8 week challenge. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

The "Shear Racers" team from Shear Talent Salon, for more team photos, visit www.AmazingWalk.info Photos by OntarioNewsNorth.com

MFHT Nurse Cheryl Fraiser R.N. also addressed the crowd, on behalf of the MFHT, briefly reviewing the rules and explaining the documents included in the teams’ packages; a replica passport to be stamped at ‘Pit Stops’ – 4 community events or services in town which at least one team members will have to attend during each 2 week segment of the 8 week challenge; 6 log books and 6 pedometers – 1 of each for each member of the team to record their steps walked (in the first segment an average of 2km/team member will be needed increasing throughout the challenge until during the last segment participants will be walking an average of 4km each); a map to ensure participants can find the pit stops; 6 health assessment cards which can be used at the Family Health Team office where participants’ weight, height, oxygen level and more will be recorded initially and then again at the end of the challenge to compare and see how fitness levels improve; and finally 4 replica airline tickets. The airline tickets show the distances to be walked during each of the four 2 week segments of the race in terms of the distance between two European cities (departure and arrival), the first ticket for example is Brussels to Luxembourg 177km, which the teams will have from May 7th to 20th to walk, when adding their members daily steps (walk distances do not necessarily need to be equally divided between team mates, if one team mate is less able, others can walk more to compensate as long as the total each 2 weeks meets the challenged distance).

The Manitouwadge Family Health Team has been very impressed with the ‘buy-in’ not only from 324 registered participants, but also by the township’s Community Services department and local businesses sponsoring the event. Sunday’s (May 6th) Kick-off barbecue was sponsored by local company Manroc Developments Inc. while the Grand Prize at the end of the 8 week challenge includes 6 mountain bikes donated by Barrick Gold and a local Guided Outdoor Adventure Tour; a 12 foot Eiffel Tour has been erected, by Dallaire Welding, in front of the Recreation Centre to inspire the walkers and a long list of additional sponsors have donated a wide variety of participation prizes which will be drawn throughout the 8 week challenge – everything from rounds of golf and downhill ski passes to entertainment series tickets and merchandise from local retailers. “We could not have asked for a better response from residents, businesses or the township” said MFHT Director Lee Krisinski adding that “the support shown for this endeavor has been absolutely incredible!”.

As the Family Health Team celebrates its one-year anniversary this month the Amazing Walk Challenge is a great sign of the positive work and creative ways the organization is inspiring Manitouwadge residents to be pro-active in regards to their overall wellbeing with a focus on healthy living and community awareness.

For more information or details for participants or anyone who would like to volunteer at upcoming pit-stops or the wind-up event which will be held Canada Day (July 1^st) visit www.AmazingWalk.info or call the Manitouwadge Family Health Team at (807) 826-3174.