October 11, 2005
News Release 05-18
Brad Peck, Corporate Communications Officer
(509) 377-8247 / 727-2808
Richland, Wash. – Robert Sweetgall has walked across America seven times. On Thursday he will stop walking long enough to visit Energy Northwest to help kick off the Richland-based public power agency’s 2005-06 wellness program.
The author of 17 books on personal wellness, Sweetgall will address Energy Northwest employees on the benefits of walking, wellness and active-living. Thus far he has helped over 5,000 schools, corporations, hospitals and communities implement wellness programs.
This marks the fifth year that Energy Northwest has offered formal wellness incentives for employees. “There is ample evidence that formal wellness programs benefit both employees and employers through improved health, reduced absenteeism and medical claims, and higher overall productivity,” said Nancy Richmond, Senior Occupational Health Nurse for the agency. “Wellness programs offer a classic win-win scenario for company’s looking for ways to show their concern for employees,” she said.
Energy Northwest’s 2005-06 wellness program theme, A Walk Across Washington, echoes a statewide Walk Across Washington promotion by the Association of Washington Cities. Employees are encouraged to log 500 or more miles of walking or other fitness activities; enough to “Walk Across Washington.”
The Association of Washington Cities is hosting a week-long celebration October 9-15 including a walk passing through more than 85 cities. Each city will embrace a one- to three-mile segment of the walk. The walk passes through the Tri-Cities on Saturday in connection with this weekend’s Lewis and Clark events. Community members who participate in the walk will receive one of Robert Sweetgall's books on fitness and walking.
Additional information on Energy Northwest’s wellness program is available from Nancy Richmond at (509) 377-4413. More on the Association of Washington Cities walk is available at www.walkwashington.org or 1-800-562-8981.