25 January 2005: Dayton School and Hospital are Walking Across Dayton

On Tuesday, Administration officials from the Dayton School District and the Columbia County Health System sat down in a meeting to discuss an upcoming challenge.  The Challenge – which organizations staff can walk the most steps over the next 3 ½ months.  After intense negotiations, the ground rules were set and the competition is set to begin on February 1^st. 

How did this all come about?  A few weeks ago Dayton was visited by Mr. Robert Sweetgall, who gave presentations on fitness and gaining a healthier lifestyle through walking.  Robert is well known speaker who has walked 7 times across America, a total of 11,208 miles through all 50 states in one year!  He has also authored and co-authored 17 books on walking, wellness and active living and helped over 5,000 schools, corporations, hospitals and communities to implement Wellness programs of all types.  Robert spoke to the Dayton community at the school and the hospital.  While giving his presentation at the school, Elementary School Principal, Katie Leid challenged the hospital to a walking challenge.  On Robert’s presentation at the hospital, he relayed the challenge onto Hospital Administrator Bruce Grimshaw who accepted and the challenge was on!

The challenge will officially begin at both organizations on February 1^st and run through May 16^th.  All staff members that are participating will be using pedometers to measure the amount of steps that they are walking each day.  Results of steps walked will be collected each week and there will be weekly updates on how each organization is doing.  The loser of the challenge will be serving the winners a pot luck luncheon.  “In reality, there will be no losers as we will all be getting more fit and healthier by this competition” Grimshaw said.  “I have talked with Katie and I know both staff’s are excited, this will be a lot of fun.”