Wellness Promotion

This year, as many of you know... I have decided to "Run With Reason" for cancer patients and families within our community, that are in need of financial support.  My hope is to build a team of people that can make a difference, not only with themselves, but in the lives of others.  This is how it's going to work: 

I am doing this on behalf of  "A Healthy Communities Partnership" through Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital.  They have launched a 3 year wellness initiative called, "Lead by example".  This program is being offered to all Grand Itasca employees, spouses and significant others.  The goal is to encourage our community to eat right, move more and live well. 

The residents of Itasca County should feel honored that our area was selected for this program!  "Allina and the George Family Foundation is a private grant-making organization with an emphasis on leveraged, strategic funding."  "The foundation funds innovative ideas in integrative health, education, leadership development, social justice and spirituality in every day life." 


If you join my team, you will be able to take advantage of this partnership!  This partnership will include free baseline screenings (Blood work) that will allow each participant to know their "health score.  Participants in the program can use an online tool called "Family Health Manager" (that provides goal setting, recommendations, and local resources.)  A Wellness Care Guide will work with each participant on a health improvement plan combining medical and non medical approaches.  Participants will also be screened each year!  This is not a mandatory part of joining the team, it's just an added bonus that is available if you so choose to take advantage of it.  Knowing what your labs (cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, etc) say about your body, is extremely important in order for you to implement healthy choices into your life.  Seeing these numbers on paper will assist with motivation!

The fundraising opportunity that we will be utilizing for "Running with Reason" is called Cards for a Cause.  This fundraiser is offered through Usborne Books and More.  There are two Boxes of 30 handcrafted greeting cards that are sold for $30 per box, which is $1 per card.  Each box sold earns $13 from UBAM.  There is no maximum earning potential!   This is a unique program with value- for- money greetings cards and a high return to the organization raising funds.

Example: With 20 participants, if each sold 20 boxes that would be $5,200 raised!  Walkers and Runners can also ask for monetary donations as a way of fundraising as well.

If you, your family, friends, or coworkers are up for a challenge, please join myself and Grand Itasca "A Healthy Communities Partnership" and Run with Reason this Spring, Summer or Fall!

You choose a race that fits your goals.  Whether that be walking or running a 5k, running a 10k, half marathon or full marathon.  This race can be any race that you choose.  The reason I decided to do this, was I found it too difficult to organize everyone into the same race, especially with many coworkers joining the team.  Not everyone can take vacation on the same day.  This way, it will open up more possibilities and lesson any schedule conflicts and the chance of not getting chosen due to a lottery.  We will all be "Running" for the same "Reason" and that is what matters!  Personally, I am going to try to get into Grandmas Half Marathon, (Gary Bjorkland Half Marathon)  There are many other races out there... one site you may want to check out is
www.northlandrunner.com  This site is jam packed with upcoming races, results, and running blogs.  Find a friend, choose a race, and start getting excited!

Looking for Statewide races?  Check out http://www.minnesotarunner.com/run

If you're interested in joining me and "Running With Reason" please send your personal information (name, phone #, address) with the subject of "Running with Reason"  to my email cgriemann@gmail.com 

I will be communicating via FB (I will be starting an event page) and through my blog.

The Cards for Cause Fundraiser will be starting near the end of February, and will last a few weeks.  I will get the official dates soon.

I can't wait to build this team!  Together we can get healthy.  Together we can make a difference!