Step By Step To a Healthier Milford Kicks Off This Month

The Kick-Off Celebration for the fourth annual ‘Step by Step to a Healthier Milford,’ a popular annual six week-walking program, will take place on Saturday, September 27th, 9 a.m. at Walnut Beach Pavilion.

Registration - $20 - is still open. This event is presented by the Milford Chamber Health & Wellness Council (HWC). Title sponsor is longtime Chamber member and HWC founder Priscilla Lynn of PrisCo Consulting LLC, along with Official Media Sponsor Natural Awakenings.

Additional Sponsors include: Goody bag Sponsor - American Medical Response; Kids Table Sponsor - Milford’s Promise; Hydration Sponsor – State Farm Insurance, Pedometer Sponsor – Clinical Research Consulting. This event benefits the Milford Chamber Trust to support scholarships given to a student planning to enter college studies in the fitness or health field.

For information on the Health & Wellness Council visit www.milfordct.com. For more details and registration information, call (203) 878-0681.

The ‘Milford Fun & Fit Day’ Fitness Challenge, originally scheduled for Sunday, September 7th at Eisenhower Park, has been postponed (rescheduled date tbd).

About the Step by Step to a Healthier Milford event

Stepping Up For Good Cause
Milford is richly populated with special events that serve as fundraisers and public awareness campaigns for a plethora of organizations. Peppered throughout the week and abundant on weekends, one can hopscotch from event to event while supporting various worthy causes. Some of the more creative events incorporate physical activity – ‘cause’-athons, fun runs, 3K or 5K’s, bike rides, and more.

Fundraiser Takes Legs

One fundraiser that has taken legs is the annual signature event of the Milford Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Council. The fourth annual Step by Step To A Healthier Milford will host a Kick-Off Celebration event on Saturday, September 27. This six-week self-monitoring walking program was developed to inspire a user-friendly and practical methodology to adopt and maintain a healthier lifestyle. All greater Milford residents are invited to participate. Walkers pay a registration fee of $20.00 and receive a pedometer and goodie bag. A portion of the proceeds fund an annual scholarship for college students and ongoing health and wellness educational programs developed and presented by the Health & Wellness Council. Walker registration deadline is September 12. The Event Kickoff takes place at Walnut Beach Pavilion on Saturday, September 27, at 9 a.m. Participants will enjoy exhibits offering valuable health information. Mayor Benjamin G. Blake will officiate the kick-off, accompanied by Chamber CEO/President President Kathy Alagno, and other dignitaries. He will then lead all walkers in the traditional inaugural walk on Silver Sands Boardwalk – rain or shine!

Walking – Just Do It!

In 2013, 100 participants accrued a total of 5 million steps. The goal of the six week measured walking program is for each participant to increase the number of steps they take each day and reap the many positive health benefits associated with increased physical activity -- burn calories, strengthen back muscles, slim the waist, and more. Tracking the number of steps taken each day is easy with the provided pedometer, step tracking guide and tracking sheet. The Chamber will keep tallies of all walkers’ steps. The ultimate goal for each individual is to achieve 10,000 steps per day -- the approximate equivalent of 5 miles. The walking can be done almost anywhere. Individuals, group and corporate walkers are invited and encouraged.

Refreshments and Recognitions

All registered walkers are invited to attend the Step by Step Celebration and Recognition of Accomplishments in November at the Milford Hospital Conference Room. This wrap up program will include refreshments, recognitions for walker accomplishments, and a brief motivational talk by Milford Hospital Education Director Diane Frankel-Gramelis on the long lasting benefits of staying active.

The Milford Chamber Health and Wellness Council was founded in 2006. It is comprised of entrepreneurs and those working in the health and wellness industry. Monthly meetings are held the second Thursday at the Milford Chamber Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. For more information visit www.milfordct.com or call the Milford Chamber at 203-878-0681.