Politics & Government

Gov. Snyder Promotes Chelsea's Five Healthy Towns Initiative in Address to Legislature

The Michigan governor outlined his plan to reduce obesity across the state.

The Chelsea Area-Wellness Foundation (CWF) got a big endorsement from Gov. Rick Snyder this week.

Snyder, who laid out his goals for a healthier state to legislators on Wednesday, cited the CWF’s efforts to promote wellness in local communities through funding various fitness initiatives.

“Community-based foundations and nonprofit organizations can play an important role in improving the wellness of Michiganders,” Snyder said. “A best practice is the work being done by the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation, which has instituted the Five Healthy Towns Project with the goal of making Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Grass Lake and Stockbridge the five healthiest towns in the Midwest.”

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Ann Arbor.com, Snyder's laundry list of healthy goals include getting more veterans enrolled in health care offered by the Veterans Administration; giving children better access to healthier foods and exercise, and tracking pediatric obesity by adding their body mass measurements to a state registry; making sure that young pregnant women get prenatal care and children statewide get dental care; and outlawing smoking on state beaches.

Matt Pegouskie, program and community resource manager for the CWF, said he was impressed with the governor’s recognition.

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This is a testament to the outstanding work (volunteers) are doing for our communities,” Pergouskie said.

State Rep. Mark Ouimet (R-Scio Township) said the Five Healthy Towns Project is leading the charge in Michigan.

“The Five Healthy Towns Project deserves this special recognition," Ouimet said. "The Chelsea Area Wellness Foundation has proven that partnerships can work in any field, and can be used in a tremendously effective way in health care."

The goal of the project is to create a "culture of wellness" in the communities served by Chelsea Community Hospital by providing funding for community action plans focused on eating better, moving more, avoiding unhealthy substances and making healthy connections with others, according to CWF board member Larry Cobler.

To celebrate healthy living, the CWF will host a on Sept. 25. The free event will take place at Chelsea High School from noon to 4 p.m. and feature presentations, games and events centered on healthy eating and exercise. Joy Bauer, nutritionist for the Today show on NBC, will headline the event.

For more information on the Five Healthy Towns initiative, visit the CWF's website.


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