Margate does the WAVE
Oct, 14-2009 3:39 pm
By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer
MARGATE – City employees are doing the WAVE in Margate, and not from the bleachers at a sporting event. The WAVE that is catching on here is Wellness Adds Value to Employees.
Lisa McLaughlin, the city’s chief financial officer, said employees have responded to the wellness program initiated this time last year with help from AtlantiCare.
By taking advantage of free health screenings, reaching for an apple rather than chips, or taking the stairs rather than the elevator, employees are moving toward a healthier lifestyle that is better for them and the city.
As an example of the program’s success, McLaughlin related the story of a police lieutenant who dropped 25 pounds. He saw a big improvement in his blood pressure, enough so that his doctors have cut way back on the medication he takes to keep his blood pressure in check.
“That is the kind of response that is an inspiration to others,” she said.
On Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School, all city employees and their family members will have the opportunity to attend a WAVE health fair.
“We have had a tremendous response from vendors, and this is not going to be just a few tables with some brochures for people to read,” said McLaughlin.
There will be health screenings, fitness demonstrations and healthy meal planning, all aimed at raising employees’ awareness of the value of being health conscious.
McLaughlin said no taxpayer money is being used to hold the fair. Even the T-shirts being given out were purchased with money given to the city by the Joint Insurance Fund as a reward, she said.
Keeping employees healthy is smart; healthy employees need fewer sick days and visits to the doctor. The JIF gave its seal of approval to the program and is encouraging other municipalities to do the same.
Activities planned include diabetes screening, skin cancer screening by Connolly Skin Care, cooking vegetables with Karen Anderson, The Body Doctor of Margate, a dance demo, health-food supplement and nutritional counseling by Pamela’s Health and Harmony, estate planning, Alzheimer information and a kettle bell demonstration by Tom Sher. There will be raffles and giveaways.
McLaughlin said the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Local 41; the Margate Firefighters have donated a Wii Fit to be raffled off and the Margate Police Benevolent Association has donated a bicycle.
“I think a lot of the local businesses have jumped on board with the health fair as a way of showing their support for the employees who work and do business in the city all year long,” McLaughlin said.
The city of Margate employs about 150 people including city hall employees, public works, police, fire and the beach patrol.
