2 McMinn cities adopt employee wellness program

ATHENS, Tenn. — A wellness campaign developed in the state of New Jersey is being used in two McMinn County cities, and more may soon join the program. The purpose of the Mayors Wellness Campaign is to encourage residents to eat, exercise and live more healthy lives.

Former Athens Mayor John Proffitt, who stepped down from the Athens City Council in November, said he heard of the plan through Athens Insurance Co. Vice President Laurie Powell.

“It is popular in the Northeast, and Laurie found this campaign that helps to keep people motivated,” Mr. Proffitt said.

During the summer, Mr. Proffitt signed a pledge with the organization to begin a wellness campaign in Athens. Now the campaign has spread to Englewood, and McMinn County is considering signing the pledge.

“We haven’t moved forward with the Mayors Campaign yet,” said Joe Guy, executive assistant to McMinn County Mayor John Gentry. But Mr. Guy said county employees took part in a recent health fair and recently held a competition with city employees to see who could lose the largest percentage of weight.

The wellness fair at the Athens Regional Park allowed municipal and county employees to get free blood tests, low-priced flu shots, bone density checks and a plethora of other tests along with information about wellness and healthy living.

Ms. Powell said the Mayors Wellness Campaign encourages company human resource officials, churches, business owners, and anyone interested to attend meetings and develop plans to encourage improved lifestyles.

“A lot of this goes back to many people simply not being healthy,” she said. “Tennessee is so unhealthy it’s scary.”

Tennessee residents have many health problems, including obesity and related problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

She said the campaign includes healthy eating and proper exercise, plus a commitment to contribute to making the program better.

“We are trying to get our vision in this area,” she said.

Ms. Powell said the local YMCA has had a= “Big Loser” program, and local hospitals are also helping with wellness days.

Though Ms. Powell and Mr. Proffitt said they believe no other local governments in Southeast Tennessee are taking part in the Mayors Wellness Campaign, several have programs improve community health.

Cleveland is not a part of the Mayors Wellness Program but it does participate in a local program, Wellness Steps of Bradley County, and has an exercise area for employees, city Human Resources Director Jeff Davis said.