Wellness Coalition wraps up $75K funding plan

Made up of 20+ community members, Stockbridge Area Wellness Center considers wellness proposals that can have a positive impact on the community’s ability to Eat Better, Move More, Avoid Unhealthy Substances and Connect with Others in Healthy Ways. L-R: Jennie Gondhi (5HF), Ashley Tomasi (5HF), Matt Pegouskie (5HF), Jo Mayer, Sue Wireman, Patti Bihn, Cady Bauer, Dave Peck, Lori Kintz, Suzi Greenway, Mark Taylor, Amy Steffey, Chief Johnnie Torres, Natalie Emerick (5HF), Jaime Kitley. Photo credit: Debbie Nogle.

by Matt Pegouskie

Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition is putting the wraps on its seventh Comprehensive Wellness Plan for the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF). SAWC’s Wellness Plan includes $75,000 worth of funding requests. The coalition proposed continuing eight existing projects, three new projects and funds to help SAWC market its efforts.

The plan includes the continuation of SRSLY Stockbridge, funding Stockbridge Community Outreach’s Tide Me Over Backpacks, and Learn by Doing cooking classes, the popular Bridge to Wellness Challenge, healthy snacks for several Smith Elementary School classrooms, trail maintenance and improvements and Stockbridge Wellness Center’s Be Fit program. New proposals include water bottle filling stations at Smith and Heritage Elementary Schools, funds to help update Lions Park in Munith and matching funds for Ingham County’s Trail Millage grant.

The next step toward approval is a review by 5HF’s Committee for Strategic Impact. They review the plan to ensure the projects meet 5HF’s mission and vision, ensure the proposals can measure their success, review budgets, and other items. After CSI’s approval, SAWC representatives present to the foundation’s board of directors. The board then takes a final vote on whether to approve the plan. This vote will most likely occur in August.

Made up of 20+ community members, SAWC considers wellness proposals that can have a positive impact on the community’s ability to Eat Better, Move More, Avoid Unhealthy Substances and Connect with Others in Healthy Ways. Residents of Stockbridge, Munith and Unadilla are part of the target population. The coalition typically meets at the old middle school on the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are open and people who have program ideas, want to learn about the coalition or want to volunteer are encouraged to attend. Visit 5healthytowns.org for meeting times, cancelations and more information.