Submitted by Ryma Lindquist, WWH
BALDWIN, WI – Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) welcomed the closing of the 2024 Dance Around the World with Healthy Hank Walking Challenge and celebrated with an in-person finale event on Tuesday, March 5th.
Hosted in the Baldwin-Woodville High School (B-WHS) gym, over 350 participants gathered to enjoy special dance performances from the B-WHS Cheerleaders and the B-WHS Dance Team. Healthy Hank and Baldwin Royalty members had fun posing with participants for photos taken by Suzanne Wynveen Photography. 2024’s theme was Dance Around the World which highlighted different dances each week; concluding the challenge with a country music theme that speakers and volunteers donned their best western attire with the 2024 Dance Around the World with Healthy Hank t-shirts.
During the event a presentation was given, and a live drawing led to six lucky participants being awarded prizes, with the Grand Prize being a $3,000 travel voucher to anywhere in the world. WWH initially registered 531 participants, with an impressive 378 participants completing the 8-week challenge.
Prize Winners Included: Grand Prize $3,000 Travel Leaders Voucher – Blaine Helgeson. Corporate Challenge Team winners – Adoray Angels. Prize Package 1: Nike Trophi Kid’s Sunglasses sponsored by Associated Eye Care: Alexis. Prize Package 2: Baldwin-Woodville Pool Membership sponsored by WWH: Emily Veenendaal. Prize Package 3: WWH 3-month Fitness Center Membership basket: Delaney Smith. Prize Package 4: Maui Jim Sunglasses sponsored by Associated Eye Care: Rita Hawley. Prize Package 5: Nilssen’s $500 Gift Card sponsored by WWH – Sherry Skogen.
Participants of the Where’s Healthy Hank challenge worked together to achieve one goal: walking around the World! Throughout the challenge, participants (ages 5 and up) stepped to see how many times the group could travel around the world. Kerri Stiller, WWH Community Health and Wellness Program Assistant, tracked the progress along the way and provided healthy recipes, motivation, and health and fitness tips. There were also several weekly prize winners throughout the challenge. Total, participants accumulated 225,419,057 steps which equates to 112,710 miles!
There were seven local organizations that competed in the corporate challenge this year. Participants tracked and reported their steps as individuals each week and WWH calculated the average weekly steps per business. Each organization was encouraged to create internal challenges to motivate employee teams. The organization with the most cumulative steps average over the eight weeks received a plaque to display at their business along with a Pizza Party from WWH. The winner of the corporate wellness challenge was the Adoray Angels with an average of over 86,000 steps weekly.
During the presentation WWH, CEO, Eilidh Pederson said “It is incredible to have this crowd and this energy gathered here tonight. We couldn’t be more grateful for your commitment to health and wellness. Our Healthy Hank Walking challenge is a crucial part of our mission and to see our community joining in these efforts is incredible. Work completed by all participants to complete this health and wellness journey adds years to our lives and improves our quality of life. Thank you to everyone who participated in our community challenge!”
Western Wisconsin Health would like to thank the amazing sponsors, in which this event would not have been possible without their generosity and support!
Western Wisconsin Health also greatly appreciates Adam Bassak, David Brandvold, Susan Werner, Megan Timmerman and the B-WHS Cheerleaders, Mykanna Yeager, Terilyn Kozak and the B-WHS Dance Team, the Baldwin Royalty, Suzanne Wynveen and the Baldwin-Woodville High School staff for their help with the finale event.
WWH would like to encourage all participants and community members to continue to keep motivated and moving throughout the year. Join us for the Healthy Hustle 5k in June, and for the Spooky Shuffle in October. The beautiful WWH Community Trail is also open year-round for walking, running, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. For more information about wellness programs WWH has to offer please visit wwhealth.org.
Western Wisconsin Health, building a healthier, tomorrow, together.
