Momentum Building for Start Somewhere Walks
Healthiest State Initiative
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – September 30, 2011 – Pledges for Iowa’s Start Somewhere Walk have doubled in the past week to more than 120,000, according to walk organizers.
“We still have a ways to go to reach our goal of 250,000,” says Doug Reichardt, chair of the Start Somewhere Walks, “but we’re seeing tremendous momentum building.”
As of September 30, more than 1,000 walks have been scheduled throughout Iowa at noon on Friday, October 7, including at least one in all 99 counties of the state.
“School systems, businesses, individuals and even entire communities are embracing the Start Somewhere Walks,” Reichardt says.
The Start Somewhere Walks are the symbolic kickoff to the Healthiest State Initiative announced by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad last month. The goal of the Initiative is to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within five years as measured by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index®. In 2010, Iowa ranked 19th compared to all other states.
Iowans are encouraged to walk individually or to join an organized walk on October 7. For more information, visit www.startsomewherewalk.com.
Walk organizers are trying to best a walk world record now claimed by the nation of Canada. “It’s a bold goal to become number one in well-being,” Reichardt says. “It’s also bold to challenge an entire country with our Start Somewhere Walks. But if anyone can compete – whether it’s for our business environment or in our own personal health and well-being, Iowans can compete with anyone.”
Reichardt understands that by itself, a one-kilometer walk won’t change the health of the state. “But it’s an opportunity for all Iowans to come together and ‘start somewhere’ toward this ambitious goal.”
The Healthiest State Initiative is a privately led, public effort that will engage Iowans and their communities throughout the state. It will involve individuals, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, not-for-profits and the public sector in a broad-based community-focused effort. For more information, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.
