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Contact: Emilie Kastner, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9522 • Fax 952-826-0389 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Edina receives bronze ‘Wellness By Design’ award
Edina, Minn., July 7, 2011 – Hennepin County presented the City of Edina with a 2011
Bronze “Wellness by Design” Award for excellence in promoting worksite wellness.
The City was among 120 winners, including schools and worksites, in Hennepin County to
receive an award this year by providing nutritional and physical activity choices and
opportunities to help reduce chronic disease, eliminate obesity and create a healthier learning
environment.
“The program is all about creating healthy communities and healthy residents,” said Hennepin
County Health Programs Supervisor Sonja Savre. The easiest way to reach adults is at the
workplace.
Not every organization that applied received an award. “We recognize the worksites that are
doing a stellar job of worksite wellness promotion,” said Savre. “We want to hold up those that
are doing it right as role models.” In order for a worksite to be eligible for an award, it needs a
coordinated plan or effort.
After surveying its employees in 2009, the City planned and launched a wellness campaign for
2010 that included monthly health emails; participation in Walk & Bike Week; distribution of
stress tips and information on smoking cessation; diabetes discussions; tournaments in volleyball,
kickball and putting; participation in rock climbing, walking, skiing, snowshoeing and yoga events.
“The idea is for employees to be healthy,” said Recreation Supervisor Donna Tilsner, a member
of the City’s Wellness Committee. “That way, employees won’t be sick, insurance rates might
go down and it will make people feel valued because their workplace is investing in its
employees. We tried to do little bits of everything.”
In order to make the next category, a silver award, the City would need to take part in a Health
Risk Assessment.
For more information on the City’s Wellness Committee or its activities, contact Tilsner at 952-
826-0432 or email DTilsner@ci.edina.mn.us.
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