Blue Zones project moves forward
RED OAK — After being chosen as a demonstration site in October, Red Oak volunteers and the Power Nine team board members are working to get the City Blue Zones certified.
To get the ball rolling, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthways appointed Angie Britten as the initiative organizer for the project.
Britten said she will be responsible for working with the Power Nine team in meeting deadlines and advocating for the project in the community.
While still in the planning stages, Britten’s part-time position will be paid from local, corporate sponsors.
“This really is a part-time thing,” she said. “I grew up here and then came back so I’m happy to be involved and I plan to really give more than get as far as the salary is concerned.”
Britten will work out of an office at the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association along with Candy Garey who was appointed as the Blue Zones administrative assistant. Garey also serves as the administrative assistant for the Association. Also employed through the project is Cathy Crowe who will act as the volunteer coordinator.
Britten said the Power Nine team, which consists of Larry Brandstetter, Darrel Steven Carlyle, Sue Drake, Allen Pohren, Doug Rieken, Charla Schmid, Terry Schmidt and Mike Webb with one vacancy, along with other volunteers, are working to develop Red Oak’s Blue Zones blueprint.
The blueprint will detail the specific things the community hopes to achieve in each of the six designated sectors, which include community, worksites, schools, individual, restaurantsand grocery. The team has an April deadline for completion of the blueprint and then Red Oak will become Blue Zones certified.
Next, Britten said is the fun part — implementing the blueprint.
“Blue Zones is truly based on principles to help people live healthier, happier lives,” she said. “We are in no way telling people how to live, but our social environment has changed so much that we want to help undo what we’ve done. Our children have a shorter life expectancy now than the generation before them, and that’s scary. So, we want to make it easier to make the healthier choice if someone does chose to.”
One plan Britten said has been discussed is a walking school bus in which adult volunteers would walk the school bus route, picking up children along the way, ensuring they get safely to and from school.
“Kids aren’t walking as much as in the past,” Britten said. “This is just one way to get them moving while being completely supervised. Plus, it’s free.”
Britten added while the team does want to make all of these community and lifestyle changes as economically efficient as possible, some ideas, such as events and speakers, will come at a cost. To make ends meet, they have applied for a $15,000 grant from the Montgomery County Community Foundation.
While not planned yet, the staff and Power Nine team will be hosting public forums to gather community input on the blueprint. In the meantime, Britten said anyone interested in getting more involved in the Blue Zones project is welcome to call her at the Association at 623-4821.