Be Active Bloomington Month Features The Great Bloomington Walk Out!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2006

For more information, contact:
Marnie Clay, Bloomington Hospital Community Coordinator, 353-5649
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN -- In celebration of Be Active Bloomington month, Mayor Mark Kruzan announced the next booster event of the Be Bloomington campaign. May's booster, the Active Living Coalition (ALC), a project of Bloomington Hospital, will coordinate The Great Bloomington Walk Out on May 17.

[image:2155,left]Events this month also include the Community Cruiser Bike Ride, Senior Expo and the opening of City pools. In addition, the deadline for submissions for the Be Beautiful Bloomington Youth Art Competition is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 26.

May 17 is recognized as National Employee Health and Fitness Day. On this day citizens are encouraged to become team leaders and gather a group of friends or co-workers to "Walk Out," and take a walk, indoors or out, rain or shine. Team leaders can fax the list of participants to 353-5787. Individuals who wish to participate may also send an e-mail to [bbbb@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:bbbb@bloomington.in.gov] with their name and a walking route description. All participants will be entered into a drawing for terrific prizes.

Citizens can form their own group or join one of the Walk Out sites listed below:

• City of Bloomington - Walkers will gather in the City Hall Atrium at noon, and Mick Renneisen, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, will lead City of Bloomington staff on a walk through downtown Bloomington. Refreshments and health-related information will be available in the Atrium following the walk.
• Bloomington Hospital - Walk leaves at 12:30 p.m. from the main lobby information desk near the chapel. Participants will be entered into a door prize drawing that will occur immediately after the walk.
• Indiana University-Bloomington - Contact Mildred Perkins, School of HPER at 855-6172 for more information.
• Karst Farm Park - Walk begins at 5200 West Airport Road at 12:15 p.m. in the commons area. The first 50 walkers will receive a prize.
• Monroe County Government - Participants are encouraged to walk between 11:30 and 12:15 p.m. to Ninth Street Park and/or to the new health clinic between 12:30 and 1:15 p.m.
• Monroe County YMCA - Walkers will meet at the YMCA front door at noon. In case of rain, the walk will be indoors on the YMCA track. Snacks will be provided to participants after the walk.

If businesses or individuals need a rain location or indoor walking location, contact Kara Golish at the YMCA at [kgolish@monroecountyymca.org|mailto:kgolish@monroecountyymca.org].

For additional information about this event and the entire Be Bloomington campaign, please visit bloomington.in.gov, e-mail [bbbb@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:bbbb@bloomington.in.gov] or call the Be Bloomington hotline at 349-BBBB.