2007 STEPS COMMUNITY HEROES AWARDS PROGRAM

The Steps Community Heroes Awards Program is a new initiative, established in April 2007, honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improve the health and well-being of others in their communities. These Steps Heroes are making significant and sustainable contributions in local schools, work sites, health care, and community settings by making their communities a healthier place to live. CDC received 28 nominations for the Community Heroes Award from the 40 Steps-funded communities.

Seven Community Heroes were selected and recently honored at the annual Steps Cooperative Agreement Program Workshop and Action Institute held in Seattle, Washington, June 6, 2007. The 2007 inaugural recipients include a minister, business leader, husband-and-wife volunteer team, fitness advocate, and citizen activist.

l to r top row: Marcella Morton – award winner, Patty Hayes – Assistant Secretary for the Washington State Department of Health’s Division of Community and Family Health, Rob Moffat – award winner, Rev. Ken Feske – award winner, Alan Wilmarth – award winner, Bruce Hendricks – award winner, Brenda Hendricks – award winner
l to r bottom row: Dr. Alyssa Easton – Director of CDC’s Steps Program Office, Dr. David Fleming – Director and Health Officer for Public Health of Seattle and King County, Rosemarie Henson – Deputy Director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Dr. Wayne Giles – Director of CDC’s Division of Adult and Community Health
not pictured: Florence Wager – award winner

These volunteers have worked tirelessly to create opportunities in the community and workplace for better access to walking and biking trails, workplace fitness centers, healthy food and beverage choices, and educational programs about the benefits of physical activity, good nutrition, and disease self-management. Many of their efforts have led to environmental, policy, and system changes in their communities that will sustain people’s efforts to maintain healthy lifestyles. The Steps Heroes demonstrate a passionate commitment to the Steps initiatives and to reducing the burden of chronic diseases, particularly obesity, diabetes, asthma, and their related risk behaviors— physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.

The Steps Program extends sincere appreciation and wishes to acknowledge the YMCA of the USA for its gracious sponsorship of the Steps Community Heroes Awards. The YMCA's generous efforts made it possible for the Heroes to attend the awards recognition program, as well as the Steps Workshop and Action Institute, and afforded CDC with the opportunity to present the Heroes with a distinguished award in commemoration of their involvement with the Steps Programs in their communities.

Page last reviewed: May 5, 2008
Page last modified: April 8, 2008
Content source: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion